Rolfe Humphries

About the Author

Rolfe Humphries (1894-1969) was an esteemed American poet, translator, and educator whose contributions to literature bridged classical antiquity and modern sensibilities. A graduate of Amherst College and Harvard University, he taught English at Amherst for over three decades, inspiring generations of students with his passion for poetry and the humanities. Humphries gained widespread acclaim for his verse translations of Ovid's Metamorphoses, which captured the mythological vibrancy and narrative flair of the original Latin in accessible, rhythmic English. His own poetry, often infused with wit, irony, and a keen observation of human nature, appeared in collections that reflected his experiences as a World War I veteran and a thoughtful observer of American life. Throughout his career, Humphries championed the art of translation as a creative act, earning recognition from peers like Robert Frost and e.e. cummings for his scholarly yet poetic approach.