Origins & Early Life

Frederic Ogden Nash (August 19, 1902 – May 19, 1971) was an American poet well known for his light verse, of which he wrote more than 500 pieces. With his unconventional rhyming schemes, he was declared by The New York Times to be the country's best-known producer of humorous poetry. Frederic Ogden Nash was born on August 19, 1902, in Rye, New York, on Milton Point, the son of Mattie (Chenault) and Edmund Strudwick Nash. Nash was baptized at Christ's Church.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

At two years old, his family had a house called "Ramaqua" on 50 acres near Port Chester. His father owned and operated a turpentine company. Because of business obligations, the family often relocated. Nash was descended from Abner Nash, an early governor of North Carolina. The city of Nashville, Tennessee, was named after Abner's brother, Francis, a Revolutionary War general.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Throughout his life, Nash loved to rhyme. "I think in terms of rhyme, and have since I was six years old", he stated in a 1958 news interview. He had a fondness for crafting his own words whenever rhyming words did not exist but admitted that crafting rhymes was not always the easiest task. His family lived briefly in Savannah...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abe Saperstein — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Founder of the Harlem Globetrotters, revolutionized black basketball.
• Alfred Kastler — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Pioneering physicist known for developing the technique of optical pumping.
• Allen Lane — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Pioneering British publisher who founded Penguin Books, bringing literature to the masses.
• Adriano Giannini — Contemporary (Born in 1971) (1971): Italian actor known for dubbing and roles in film and television.
• Alison Krauss — Contemporary (Born in 1971) (1971): Esteemed American bluegrass singer and musician known for her vibrant career.
• Audie Murphy — Contemporary (Died in 1971) (1971): Decorated WWII soldier and celebrated Hollywood actor.
• Andrea Palladio — Shared historical date (08-19 · Died) (1580): Master Renaissance architect whose villas defined the Palladian style.
• Anthony Muñoz — Shared historical date (08-19 · Born) (1958): Legendary offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals and USC alumnus.
• Abraham Pais — Shared historical date (05-19 · Born) (1918): Pioneering physicist and acclaimed science historian of modern physics.
• Alcuin — Shared historical date (05-19 · Died) (804): Leading scholar of the Carolingian Renaissance, influential teacher and clergyman.
• 1902 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1902
• August 19 (08-19) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on August 19
• 1971 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1971
• May 19 (05-19) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on May 19