Literary San Francisco: George Sterling

George Sterling Plaque, Larkin Street at Lombard.

George Sterling called San Francisco "The Cool, Grey City of Love." The poet was born into an old Puritan family on Long Island in 1869. Young Sterling left Catholic study after he picked up poetry and moved to Oakland. He was later befriended by writers Jack London and Ambrose Bierce. Sterling referred to his mentor Bierce, with whom he had a tumultuous association, as "the Master." Sterling made a name for himself with the publication of "A Wine of Wizardry" in 1907. He is closely associated with the Bohemian Club and is sometimes called "the King of Bohemian San Francisco" or "the last classic Bohemian." Sterling wrote and directed a number of plays for the club's world famous summertime High Jinks, and commited suicide in his room at the club on Sutter Street in 1926. Two years later, a park on Russian Hill was christened in Sterling's honor. In 1982, the George Sterling Glade was restored by a committee lead by Don Herron, Bill Kostura, and John Law.

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Copyright 2007 Hank Donat
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