Koch, Kenneth Jay

▪ 2003

      American poet, writer, and teacher (b. Feb. 27, 1925, Cincinnati, Ohio—d. July 6, 2002, New York, N.Y.), was known for verse that combined modernism with lyricism and that conveyed a sense of enthusiasm and fun. The subject matter was wide in range and included ordinary objects and references to popular culture. At the same time, Koch's poetry could be learned and technically sophisticated, reflecting his thorough academic training. He began writing as a child and had a poem published in Poetry magazine when he was 18. He gained an A.B. degree (1948) from Harvard University, where his teachers included Delmore Schwartz, and M.A. (1953) and Ph.D. (1959) degrees from Columbia University, New York City. It was at Harvard that Koch met John Ashbery and Frank O'Hara, with whom he formed the so-called New York school in reaction against the poetics of the time. Major volumes included Sleeping with Women (1969), The Burning Mystery of Anna in 1951 (1979), and On the Great Atlantic Rainway: Selected Poems 1950–1988 (1994). In addition, he published two volumes of epic poetry in ottava rima in the style of Lord Byron—Ko; or, A Season on Earth (1959) and The Duplications (1977)—which later appeared together as Seasons on Earth (1987). Koch also wrote extensively for the theatre, primarily short plays and librettos for musical works. Other publications included a novel, short stories, books on the teaching of poetry, and, as editor, anthologies of modern poetry. He taught at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J.; Brooklyn (N.Y.) College; and the New School for Social Research, New York City; and from 1959 until his death he was a member of the faculty at Columbia. He also taught poetry in elementary schools and nursing homes. Among his many honours were the Bollingen Prize (1995) and Fulbright and Guggenheim fellowships, as well as membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

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