The Birth of the Anthology

The episode discusses the conception of an anthology titled 'A Century of Poetry in The New Yorker, 1925-2025', created to celebrate the magazine's 100th anniversary. Kevin Young shares his inspiration drawn from an earlier anthology, emphasizing the personal history tied to The New Yorker and his excitement to curate such a significant collection. He and his collaborator Deborah Garrison aim to structure the anthology thematically rather than chronologically, reflecting the passage of a day to enhance the reading experience. This format allows for diverse voices and styles to be juxtaposed, showcasing the evolution of poetry over the century, while also capturing particular moods and moments in time.