A certain essence of the sun: Byron Herbert Reece and the southern poetry tradition

This study of Byron Herbert Reece (1917-1958) seeks to provide a broad look at his life, his work, his reputation,and his contributions to poetry. The record of his life is largely contained in a biography. The Mountain Singer, byRaymond Cook and in several published remembrances. These Remembrances often conform to a common assumption, promoted by Atlanta newspapers and others, that Reece was a mountain man poet. The accuracy of that image is challenged in this book and shown to be more an attempt to simplify Reese's Character than to explore his complex nature or examine his unique poetic vision. Little serious criticism of his poetry has been written since his death, so part of the book describes the major forms, themes, and ideas present in the four volumes of poetry he published. In addition, the book considers Reece in context with other Southern poets of histime, notably the Fugitives, by comparing his life and work to theirs. Finally, the book argues that Reece was an original poet who should be recognized for several contributions to poetry, notably his use of ballads to express intimate thoughts and his focus on the "insuperable separateness of the individual."