Arthur Davison Ficke

Born in Davenport, Iowa, in 1883, Arthur Davison Ficke became known as a poet, essayist, and collector with wide artistic interests. He studied at Harvard and later trained in law, but literature remained central to his life and work.

Ficke published many books of poetry and prose over the course of his career, and his writing ranged from lyric and reflective poems to travel- and art-related work. He is often noted today for taking part in the "Spectra" hoax with Witter Bynner, a literary prank that spoofed some of the trends in early 20th-century poetry.

Alongside his writing, he was deeply interested in Asian art, especially Japanese prints, and built a reputation as a knowledgeable collector. He died in 1945, leaving behind a body of work that reflects both a serious devotion to poetry and a lively curiosity about the arts.