Edwin Markham was born in Oregon City, Oregon, April 23, 1852; [died, 1940]. Removed at an early age to California, where his childhood was spent upon a ranch in herding sheep and riding the ranges after the cattle. During his boyhood he attended school but three months in the year, but later studied at San JosГ© Normal School and the University of California. After leaving the University, Mr. Markham became a teacher in California and was principal and superintendent of several schools until 1899, when he sprang suddenly into fame by the publication in the "San Francisco Examiner" of his poem "The Man With the Hoe." This poem, crystallizing as it did the spirit of the time, and emphasizing one's obligation to Society, became the impulse of the whole social movement in poetry, a movement which largely prevailed during the early years of the twentieth century. After the great success of "The Man With the Hoe," Mr. Markham removed from California to New York City, where he continued to engage in literary work.

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