JOHN RANSOM PALMER

1905-1948

After graduating from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1936, Palmer practiced medicine in New York City, then became a Major in the Army Medical Corps. His subsequent activities are still unknown to me.


BACKGROUND -
McDonough ML. Poet-Physicians: An Anthology of Medical Poetry Written by Physicians. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas; 1945.
POETRY -
Winds of Dawn (1927)
51 Poems by Robert Goldsborough (1937)
Midstream - Midnight (1938)
Where Every Prospect Pleases (1939)
War: 1939 (1940)



It contains 51 poems by the same author and has 26 pages It was published in 1940 by The Scribner Press.

The pages of this book are evenly yellowed but the paper itself is in pristine condition. The hardcover back has not been broken and has a "Army green" color with gold lettering.

The Condition of the hardback is solid however it must have been effected by something because the coloring on the front and back is modeled with discoloration. I don't think it was moisture otherwise there would be warping of the hardback along with discoloration and moisture "wicking" on the pages. There is none of that with this book.

The Poems are numbered with Roman numerals and tell the story of war and its devistating effect through the eyes of Robert Goldsborough...

"...O the valiant charge, the brave attack!

Deluded men in deparate human waves

Rise into vision--running--leaning down...

But faltering soon, they sway and hestitate--

Staggering, they fall--

and sinking to the ground,

lie writhing in their pain, each dying man

An isolated universe, alone--"



This is poem number VI.