Elizabeth Bishop
(1911­1979)
American poet, teacher, and author

Elizabeth Bishop won almost every important literary prize of her day, while battling asthma unsuccessfully throughout her life with injections of adrenaline, calcium, and antihistamines. Her treatments also included transfusions, electroshock, cortisone, and alcohol--all to no avail.

Courtesy Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress

Back to Voices from the Past