Alfred Castner King

Born in Leslie, Michigan, Alfred Castner King spent most of his life in Colorado and became known as the "blind poet of Colorado." Sources agree that he worked as an assayer and lost his sight in a mining explosion in 1900, a turning point that shaped both his life and literary reputation.

After the accident, he settled in western Colorado, especially around Grand Junction. Accounts connected with later editions of his work say he supported himself in practical ways while continuing to write, lecture, play the flute, and travel. His poetry is closely associated with the American West, with a strong feel for mountain landscapes, miners, pioneers, and endurance.

King is best known today for collections including The Passing of the Storm and Other Poems and Mountain Idylls and Other Poems. Even in brief biographical notes, he comes across as a writer whose career was defined not just by hardship, but by determination and a lasting affection for Colorado.