tate
tate — noun
1. A twentieth-century American writer whose work included poetry and literary crit
A twentieth-century American writer whose work included poetry and literary criticism, closely linked to the Southern Agrarian movement that promoted traditional rural values.
Tate's 1928 poem 'Ode to the Confederate Dead' remains his most studied work.
literary reference: 'Ode to the Confederate Dead'
As a critic, Tate argued that a poem's meaning is tied to its formal structure.
professional role: literary criticism
Along with other Southern writers, Tate helped start the influential magazine The Fugitive.
movement affiliation: The Fugitive / Southern Agrarians
During the 1930s, Tate published essays defending the traditional values of the American South.
Allen Tate taught poetry and writing at several universities, including Princeton and Minnesota.
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 2: Allen Tate was an American poet and critic, while Nahum Tate was a British dramatist from an earlier century.
Common Mistakes
2. A seventeenth-century English playwright and poet who served as the official roy
A seventeenth-century English playwright and poet who served as the official royal poet of Britain from 1692 to 1715, best remembered for adapting Shakespeare's tragedies for Restoration-era audiences.
Tate's 1681 version of King Lear gives the tragedy a happy ending with Cordelia alive.
notable adaptation: King Lear with happy ending
King Charles II appointed Nahum Tate as the official poet of Britain in 1692.
official role: poet laureate
Modern theatre companies sometimes perform Tate's King Lear to show how tastes changed.
Tate also wrote the lyrics for the well-known Christmas hymn 'While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks.'
hymn writing: 'While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks'
Nahum Tate worked as a playwright during the lively theatre scene of Restoration London.
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1: Nahum Tate worked in the late seventeenth century, a full two centuries before the American poet Allen Tate.
Common Mistakes
Etymology
The surname Tate comes from Old English, originally a nickname meaning 'cheerful' or 'pleasant.' It is unrelated to the two famous literary figures who share it — the surname itself is fairly common in English-speaking countries, while Allen Tate and Nahum Tate are the individuals most often referenced in literary contexts.