Jean Untermeyer (1886 –1970) was an American poet, translator, and educator. She was the author of six volumes of poetry and a memoir. She was married to the poet Louis Untermeyer. Through her marriage, she came into contact with many poets and, especially inspired by hearing a reading of poems by Edna St. Vincent Millay, she began writing poetry privately. When her husband read her poems he was impressed by them and, on her behalf, submitted them to several magazines that accepted them for publication; with his support, her first book of poems, Growing Pains, was published in 1918. She continued to write poetry, publishing several further collections. Her poems are often traditional in form, with subtle, intricate harmonies; drawing inspiration from both nature and domestic life, they explore themes related to self-discipline and loss.
Portrait courtesy of the Poetry Collection of the University Libraries at The State University of New York
