(December 6, 1886-July 30, 1918)
Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey
Wrote 'Summer of Love' (1911), 'Trees and Other Poems' (1914) and 'Main Street and Other Poems' (1917)
Birth name was Alfred Joyce Kilmer
Killed by a sniper during the Second Battle of the Marne

Although prolific, he is remembered for only one poem, 'Trees.'
Several locations claim to be home to the tree that inspired 'Trees,' even though Kilmer denied having a particular tree in mind.
Because of the middle name he used, many people think 'Trees' was written by a woman.
Critics consider his work simple and overly sentimental.

'Trees' remains a popular and widely recognized poem.
His daughter Rose suffered from polio and died at age five.
He refused an officer's commission, saying he would rather be a sergeant in the Fighting 69th than an officer in any other unit.
He was posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre for his valor.

Credit: C. Fishel

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• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 05]
• I Converted to Catholicism
• I Died in 1918 (Ranked: 31)
• I Died in My 30s (Ranked: 31)
• I Outlived My Child
• Known By a Middle Name
• Look at Me, I'm Wearing Military Garb
• Poets
• Profiles 20501-20750 (Ranked: 20723)
• Served in World War I