Carl Sandburg was an American poet born in 1878 in Galesburg, Illinois. He came from a poor family, with a stern father and kind mother, and left school at age 13 to work odd jobs to support his family. As a young man, he traveled extensively working various jobs, including being a hobo. He began writing poetry to give voice to the struggles of poor people. Sandburg became known for his free verse style and poems celebrating the American landscape and working class. He lived a life dedicated to poetry until his death in 1967.

1. Carl Sandburg
By: Saaya, Sara, Katelyn, Hannah

2. Who was the poet and what was his
family like?
The poet was Carl Sandburg, and
he spoke Swedish before he
started to speak English. He was
brainy, and smart even he didn’t
go to high school. When he was
18, he became a hobo. He got
married at age 30, and spent his
life as a poet. His Mom was
cheerful, and kind, but his Dad
was serious, and stern.

3. When did the poet live?
He was born in January 6th, 1878. Also,
Exposition Universelle de Paris 1878 took
place in Paris. Also, the war between the
Russian Empire, and Osman Empire took in
that year. He died in July 22nd, 1967, and that
year was when Expo.1967 Montreal was held.

4. Where did the poet live?
• He was born in Galesburg, Illinois. It was in the
middle of the city during that time. At age
seventeen, he went to Kansas and became a
hobo. He also went to Puerto Rico for the
Spanish-American War.

5. Why did the poet write?
• He wanted to cheer up the poor people by
writing a poem, because he experienced the
same thing what they are experiencing.

6. What influenced the poet writing?
• His parents were very poor. Carl left school at
age thirteen and worked odd jobs, for
example, laying bricks or dishwashing, to help
support his family. At seventeen, he went to
Kansas as a hobo. He then served eight
months in Puerto Rico during the Spanish-
American War. He experienced many
hardships, and he wanted others to
understand his feeling.

7. What poetic tools or styles is the best
poet known for?
• Carl writes free verse( rhyme ) like Whitman
style. He became known for his free verse
poems celebrating industrial, American
geography, landscape, and the American poor
people.

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