"Born April 15, 1861 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Son of William Carman and Sophia Mary Bliss (Sophia Mary Bliss was a descendent of Daniel Bliss of Concord, Massachusetts, the great-grandfather of Ralph Waldo Emerson; and was the aunt of Charles G. D. Roberts).
Educated at Collegiate Grammar School, Fredericton, along with his cousin Charles G. D. Roberts. In 1878 entered the University of New Brunswick, where he excelled in classics. Graduated in 1881.
Enrolled in Oxford University, but after only three days of attendance left for Edinburgh University, where some friends from New Brunswick were enrolled; studied physics, mathematics and philosophy. Did not write examinations. Returned to Fredericton in 1883, taught at Collegiate Grammar School, and read law. In 1884, while Roberts was editor of Goldwin Smith's The Week, had his first poem published ("Ma belle Canadienne.") He left Harvard in 1888, and worked as an editor in New York and Boston, for such journals as The Atlantic, Cosmopolitan, Current Literature, The Chapbook, The Independent, Literary World, and The Outlook. While at The Independent, published poems by Pauline Johnson, Archibald Lampman, Duncan Campbell Scott and other Canadian authors. William Bliss Carman died 8 June 1929 at his home in New Canaan, Connecticut from a cerebral hemorrhage when he fell in his bath. He is buried in the Forest Hills Cemetery, Fredericton, New Brunswick.
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