Image for John Crowe Ransom

John Crowe Ransom

John Crowe Ransom was an influential American poet, essayist, and literary critic active in the early to mid-20th century. He is known for his scholarly approach to literature, emphasizing clarity, moral purpose, and formal excellence in poetry. Ransom co-founded the New Criticism movement, which focused on analyzing a text's internal features rather than external factors like author intent or historical context. His work often explores themes of morality, tradition, and beauty, aiming to elevate literary standards and foster thoughtful appreciation of literature. Ransom’s ideas helped shape modern literary criticism and inspired generations of writers and scholars.