Wins The Lyric Year poetry contest with 'Second Avenue'
Poet involved
What happened
Johns's poem 'Second Avenue' won first prize in The Lyric Year poetry contest in New York City, earning him $500 and national recognition. The victory sparked controversy when many critics argued that fourth-place finisher Edna St. Vincent Millay's 'Renascence' was the superior work.
Literary impact
The award — and the ensuing scandal — catapulted Johns into the national literary spotlight and established his reputation as a significant new voice in American poetry. His gracious refusal of the prize money and public acknowledgment of Millay's talent demonstrated his literary integrity and deepened his commitment to poetry as an art form rather than a competition.
Source: Wikipedia
