David Park Barnitz

David Park Barnitz
Born	(1878-06-24)June 24, 1878 U.S.
Died	October 10, 1901(1901-10-10) (aged 23) Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation	Poet
Known for	Writing The Book of Jade

David Park Barnitz (June 24, 1878 – October 10, 1901) was an American poet, best known for his 1901 volume "The Book of Jade", a book of decadent poetry published anonymously by San Francisco bookseller William Doxey.

Life events

Barnitz studied under Dr. Carl M. Belser, Charles Lanman, and William James. He earned his A.M. degree at age 21, and was admitted to the American Oriental Society, becoming its youngest member, nominated by Lanman.

Barnitz adopted the decadent poetry style, drawing inspiration from gothic and macabre poets such as Thomas Lovell Beddoes, Eric Stenbock, James Thomson, and others. A classmate of poet Wallace Stevens, Barnitz’s work reflected his cynicism and misanthropy. He admired the French decadents, though he critiqued them for failing to create a new art form.

In autumn 1901, Midwest newspapers reported the sudden death of Barnitz. A poem from the collection appeared in the Overland Monthly in March 1901 under Barnitz's name. While newspapers reported his death as accidental due to an enlarged heart, there was speculation among the public that Barnitz had committed suicide.

In 2015, Hippocampus Press published an expanded edition of The Book of Jade, edited by David E. Schultz and Michael J. Abolafia, including previously unpublished writings.

See also

• List of unsolved deaths

External links

• Works by David Park Barnitz in eBook form at Standard Ebooks
• The Book of Jade The only comprehensive David Park Barnitz site
• Park Barnitz (1901). The Book of Jade. New York. p. 10.
• Book Jade New Critical