Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
Historic Treasure of the Week -
June 16, 2002
By Mary Rose Hemminghouse
Vigo County Historical Society
Ehrmann collection through-provoking
If you were to see Max Ehrmann on the streets of Terre Haute today, you would have to say happy 130th birthday. Even though he has been gone since 1945, you don’t have to look too far back to see reminders of Ehrmann in the Terre Haute Community and his stature as a legend that refuses to grow old.
The Vigo County Historical Society is a good place to whet your interest in this remarkable man and lifetime resident of Terre Haute. As you look over its collection with its bust of Ehrmann and read his poems, you soon discover that his poetry is very philosophical in tone and thought-provoking. His poetry illustrates his deep thoughts on human nature and the state of the world, his ability to capture those thoughts and put them into an easy to read prose poem for others to reflect on and to inspire their own thoughts on the subject.
Ehrmann was born in Terre Haute in 1872 to Max Ehrmann Sr. and Margaret Lutz Ehrmann, early immigrants from Germany. Max Ehrmann was the youngest of five and received his early education in Terre Haute Schools.
Between 1890-94, he attended DePauw University, where he was the editor of the school newspaper. Following graduation, Ehrmann did two years of postgraduate work at Harvard University in law and philosophy. While at Harvard, Ehrmann edited The Rainbow, a national college fraternity magazine.
Upon completion of his studies, Ehrmann would have had many career choices open him, but he chose to return to his hometown of Terre Haute. He worked for a short time as a deputy state’s attorney and the continued his working life in his family’s manufacturing business until he retired to write full-time at age 40.
Ehrmann’s first published work was “A Farrago,” in 1898. A novel, “A Fearsome Riddle,” with the scene laid in Terre Haute, appeared in 1902. In 1903, “A Prayer,” one of his more famous works was published, and this work brought the poet widespread recognition.
Poems that followed were published over time and attracted critical appreciation for their sustained spiritual tone and rich imagery presented.
Ehrmann was a charter member of the Terre Haute Literary Club and was a local celebrity and no doubt could have gone elsewhere and pursued a life with more excitement and adulation.
During his life, it appears that he made friends wherever he went and became personal friends with many of the famous teachers with whom he had studied.
He also was in frequent correspondence with figures of the literary world, as well as with leaders in the field of drama. He held membership in the Authors League of America and the Author’s Club of London.
When looking back at his life, one is struck by the many people that Ehrmann counted as friends and associates world-wide and his impact on the literary world.
Initially, the poet was honored on Sunday, June 24, 1945, by his many close friends at Indiana State University, musicians, artists and friends in the community in a gathering at the Swope Art Gallery. During this gathering, he reportedly received many tributes from his friends and associates. Dr. Harry Wann, the creator of the bust of Max Ehrmann which is presently displayed at the Vigo County Historical Museum, praised the poet for his faithfulness to Terre Haute by remaining here after success came to him and adding that it was a source of pride that he chose to make Terre Haute his home.
Ehrmann died shortly after this recognition in September 1945. He was honored posthumously again at a centennial celebration in 1972 that included the community dedicating a full week of activities to his life. Area residents who had been his friends narrated a slide show during the centennial.
Ehrmann is buried in Highland Lawn Cemetery in this family ploy. For a man of many words, a philosopher and a poet, there are no special words to remember him by on his tombstone. Because Ehrmann leaves a legacy that suggests his being a humble man with many friends who loved his home in Terre Haute, that probably would have been fine with him. His legend, however, refuses to die in this modern age, as he lives and breathes in this 130th year of his birth.
Now we have such a thing as the Internet, and Ehrmann and his works can be found there in 5,340 mentions and 19 pages of related material. His most famous work, “Desiderata,” written in 1927, is cited hundreds of time in these entries and has been adopted by many as their personal philosophy.
Ehrmann would probably be flattered and get a gentle laugh out of that and would no doubt write a poem about life’s strange quirks. I think his own thoughts in the poem titled “Birthday” are interesting to read on this 130th anniversary of his birth.
Ehrmann’s words can be found in your library and the Vigo County Historical Society display. A few words of Ehrmann’s personal philosophy in “Desiderata” also are quite appropriate 130 years later, “Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, remember what peace there may be in silence” and “strive to be happy.” Thank you Max Ehrmann for your thoughts, writing and happy 130th birthday to you!
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The Web site: http://web.indstate.edu/community/vchs.