author
Hughes Mearns
1875–1965
Best known for the hauntingly playful poem "Antigonish," this American writer also helped change how children’s creativity was taught. His work blends lightness, imagination, and a real belief in the power of young voices.
2 Audiobooks
Richard Richard
by Hughes Mearns
The Vinegar Saint
by Hughes Mearns
About the author
Hughes Mearns, born William Hughes Mearns, was an American poet and educator born in Philadelphia in 1875 and died in 1965. He is most often remembered for "Antigonish"—sometimes called "The Little Man Who Wasn’t There"—a short poem that has stayed famous for its eerie, memorable lines.
He studied at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, and he taught at the Philadelphia School of Pedagogy. Beyond his poetry, he became known for encouraging children to write freely and imaginatively at a time when that approach was still unusual.
That mix of literary charm and educational vision makes him an interesting figure: a poet with a gift for the uncanny, and a teacher who trusted children’s natural creativity.