13 Facts About Alan Seeger

Alan Seeger was an American war poet who fought and died in World War I during the Battle of the Somme, serving in the French Foreign Legion.

Alan Seeger is lauded for the poem "I Have a Rendezvous with Death", a favorite of President John F Kennedy.

Alan Seeger was born on June 22,1888, in New York City.

Alan Seeger's parents were married in the Unitarian Church, and Alan and his brother, Charles, were educated in schools based in Unitarianism: the Horace Mann School in Manhattan, the Hackley School in Tarrytown and Harvard College.

In 1902, Alan Seeger left Mexico City with his brother to attend Hackley School in Tarrytown, New York, after which he attended Harvard University.

Alan Seeger was living on Rue du Sommerard in Paris in 1914, when war was declared between France and Germany.

Alan Seeger quickly volunteered to fight as a member of the Foreign Legion in the French Army, stating that he was motivated by his love for France and his belief in the Allies.

Alan Seeger's work was heavily influenced by the Romantic school, and by the precepts of chivalry and medieval ethos of the knight.

Alan Seeger was killed in action in 1916, during a French attack against the Imperial German Army at Belloy-en-Santerre, during the Battle of the Somme.

Alan Seeger's head erect, and pride in his eye, I saw him running forward, with bayonet fixed.

Alan Seeger had been falsely reported dead after the Battle of Champagne in October 1915, in which he had fought.

Alan Seeger's poetry was published by Charles Scribner's Sons in December 1916 with a 46-page introduction by William Archer.

Alan Seeger was serious about his work and spent pains over it.