Don Blanding

American poet, graduated in 1912[2]

What is Don Blanding known for?

Donald Benson Blanding, known as Don Blanding, was born on November 7, 1894, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. An American poet, artist, and journalist, Don was quite a multifaceted personality. He was also colloquially referred to as the "poet laureate of Hawaii", shedding light on his deep connection with the Hawaiian culture and ethos.

Don grew up in Lawton, Iowa, going to school alongside future Hollywood icon Joan Crawford. He graduated from Lawton High School in 1912, marking the start of an illustrious journey ahead. Blanding later moved to the Art Institute of Chicago for training and further pursued art studies in Paris and London. He also traveled in Central America and the Yucatan, before finally settling in Honolulu in 1921.

Blanding had a brief spell in the military, enlisting in the Canadian Army's 97th ("American Legion") Battalion during World War I. However, he left shortly before the unit shipped out for Europe. He then moved to Hawaii and enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1917. He underwent officer training and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant before being discharged in December 1918, soon after the Armistice. When World War II erupted, Blanding enlisted again in the U.S. Army as a private at the ripe age of 47. He served eleven months in the 1208th Service Corps Unit, Infantry, and was discharged as a corporal.

Besides his military stint, Blanding had a prolific career as a poet. He started working as an artist in an advertising agency, publishing daily poetry in the Honolulu Star Bulletin between 1921 and 1923. The popularity of these poems led to the publishing of a collection of his poetry in 1923. His fifth book, Vagabond's House, published by New York publisher Dodd, Mead & Company in 1928, went on to become a great commercial success. With nearly fifty printings and over 150,000 copies sold by 1948, Blanding had certainly carved out a niche for himself in the literary world.

Don Blanding passed away on June 9, 1957, leaving behind a rich legacy of poetry and art. His work continues to inspire new generations, acting as a testament to his unique vision and immense talent.

For more on Don Blanding's life and works, you can visit his official website.