ABOUT ALTER ESSELIN
Russian-American, Yiddish-language poet known for Knoytn, Unter der last, and other works. He was the 1954 recipient of the prestigious Harry Kovner Award for Yiddish poetry.
His father died when he was ten years old, and his mother apprenticed him to a carpenter.
His poems frequently dealt with themes of poverty and loneliness.
He married Becky Friedland, with whom he had two sons.
Isaac Bashevis Singer was another important Yiddish literary figure.
