John Beecher
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Brief Biography
John Beecher was born in New York but raised in Birmingham, Alabama. Beecher spent many years working in the steel mills, which inspired him to begin writing poetry. He pursued higher education, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin before engaging in graduate studies in sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Beecher's career spanned various roles, including writing for newspapers, serving in the United States Merchant Marine, running a ranch in Sonoma County, and engaging in civil rights activities in the 1960s. In 1956, Beecher and his wife established Morning Star Press, later known as Rampart Press, to promote the works of blacklisted poets. He died of lung disease in 1980.
Publications
And I Will Be Heard. New York; Twice a Year Press, 1940.
Here I Stand. New York; Twice a Year Press, 1941.
All Brave Sailors: The Story of the SS Booker T. Washington. New York; L.B. Fischer, 1945.
Land of the Free: A Portfolio of Poems on the State of the Union. California; Morning Star Press, 1956.
Observe the Time: An Everyday Tragedy in Verse. San Francisco; Morning Star Press, 1956.
Inquest: A Poem. San Francisco; Morning Star Press, 1957.
Just Peanuts: A Poem. San Francisco; Morning Star Press, 1957.
Moloch. San Francisco; Morning Star Press, 1957.
Poems for the People: Broadsides. San Francisco; Morning Star Press, 1957.
In Egypt Land. Arizona; Ramparts Press, 1960.
Report to the Stockholders and Other Poems 1932-1962. New York; MR Press, 1962.
Homage to a Subversive. Arizona; Ramparts Press, 1961.
Phantom City. Arizona; Ramparts Press, 1961.
A Humble Petition to the President of Harvard. Arizona; Ramparts Press, 1963.
Bestride the Narrow World. Arizona; Rampart, 1963.
Conformity Means Death. Arizona; Rampart, 1963.
On Acquiring a Cistercian Brewery. Arizona; Rampart, 1963.
Yours in the Bonds. Arizona; Rampart, 1963.
Undesirables: Poems. Landham; Gossetree Press, 1964.
To Live and Die in Dixie, and Other Poems. Birmingham; Red Mountain Editions, 1966.
Hear the Wind Blow! Poems of Protest and Prophecy. New York; International Publishers, 1968.
John Beecher Papers: 1899-1972. New Jersey; Microfilming Corporation of America, 1973.
Collected Poems, 1924-1974. New York; Macmillan, 1974.
Tomorrow is a Day: A Story of the People in Politics. Chicago; Vanguard Books, 1980.
Here I Stand. New York; Twice a Year Press, 1941.
All Brave Sailors: The Story of the SS Booker T. Washington. New York; L.B. Fischer, 1945.
Land of the Free: A Portfolio of Poems on the State of the Union. California; Morning Star Press, 1956.
Observe the Time: An Everyday Tragedy in Verse. San Francisco; Morning Star Press, 1956.
Inquest: A Poem. San Francisco; Morning Star Press, 1957.
Just Peanuts: A Poem. San Francisco; Morning Star Press, 1957.
Moloch. San Francisco; Morning Star Press, 1957.
Poems for the People: Broadsides. San Francisco; Morning Star Press, 1957.
In Egypt Land. Arizona; Ramparts Press, 1960.
Report to the Stockholders and Other Poems 1932-1962. New York; MR Press, 1962.
Homage to a Subversive. Arizona; Ramparts Press, 1961.
Phantom City. Arizona; Ramparts Press, 1961.
A Humble Petition to the President of Harvard. Arizona; Ramparts Press, 1963.
Bestride the Narrow World. Arizona; Rampart, 1963.
Conformity Means Death. Arizona; Rampart, 1963.
On Acquiring a Cistercian Brewery. Arizona; Rampart, 1963.
Yours in the Bonds. Arizona; Rampart, 1963.
Undesirables: Poems. Landham; Gossetree Press, 1964.
To Live and Die in Dixie, and Other Poems. Birmingham; Red Mountain Editions, 1966.
Hear the Wind Blow! Poems of Protest and Prophecy. New York; International Publishers, 1968.
John Beecher Papers: 1899-1972. New Jersey; Microfilming Corporation of America, 1973.
Collected Poems, 1924-1974. New York; Macmillan, 1974.
Tomorrow is a Day: A Story of the People in Politics. Chicago; Vanguard Books, 1980.
Themes
John Beecher wrote poetry that expressed his political and social activism. He frequently discussed the rights of working class people and African Americans in his works. He also wrote nonfiction books about his experiences in the Navy during World War II and farm labor in Minnesota.
Publisher
Alabama Authors of the 19th and 20th Centuries, edited by Beverley Park Rilett, http://AlabamaAuthors.org
Collection
Citation
Beecher, John, “John Beecher,” Alabama Authors of the 19th & 20th Centuries, accessed September 19, 2024, https://alabamaauthors.org/items/show/538.