Max Ellison (1914-1985) was an American poet who was born in Bellaire, Michigan. Ellison attended Bellaire High School for two years. During the Second World War, he served in the US Army's 1st Cavalry Division in the Philippines and was awarded the

Purple Heart The Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, w ...

. After the war he became a hog farmer in

Plymouth Plymouth () is a port city and unitary authority in South West England. It is located on the south coast of Devon, approximately south-west of Exeter and south-west of London. It is bordered by Cornwall to the west and south-west. Plymouth ...

, Michigan. In 1967, he left farming and returned to Bellaire to write poetry. There he lived in a small wooden cabin without plumbing, electricity, or a telephone. He travelled extensively, performing poetry recitations in numerous schools and colleges. His poems were said to be, "earthy, direct and naturalistic." While another reviewer noted, "When speaking, his deep, rolling voice draws out the lyrical quality of strong simple images and the musical meter of his own and others' poetry." He recited his poem, "Michigan," at the first inauguration of Michigan Governor

William Milliken William Grawn Milliken (March 26, 1922 – October 18, 2019) was an American businessman and politician who served as the 44th governor of Michigan. A member of the Republican Party, he is the longest-serving governor in Michigan history, serv ...

. In 1973, he represented the United States at an international poetry festival held at the University of Massachusetts. Ellison published several books of poetry including The Underbark, The Happenstance, and Double Take.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ellison, Max American male poets 1914 births 1985 deaths 20th-century American poets