Anthony Hecht was a distinguished American poet celebrated for his technical mastery of traditional verse forms. Born in New York City on January 16, 1923, he served in the US Army during World War II before attending Harvard University. Hecht won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1968 for "The Hard Hours," a collection exploring themes of war, violence, and human experience. Known for his wit, formal precision, and philosophical depth, he taught at several prestigious universities including Harvard and Georgetown. Hecht is considered one of the most accomplished formalist poets of the twentieth century, influencing generations of poets with his elegant craftsmanship. He died on October 20, 2004, in New York City.
