Gladys Cromwell

Gladys Cromwell (November 28, 1885 – January 19, 1919) was an American poet and Red Cross volunteer during World War I. Known for her introspective and melancholic poetry, Cromwell published works in prominent literary magazines and released a volume of poems titled "The Gates of Utterance and Other Poems" in 1915. Her service in the Red Cross alongside her twin sister, Dorothea, exposed her to the harrowing realities of war, which profoundly affected her mental health. The sisters ended their lives while returning to the United States in 1919. Posthumously, Cromwell's poetry was celebrated, earning her the Poetry Society of America's prize in 1920, and her contributions to literature and war service are considered a poignant reflection of her era.

Early life and family
Gladys Louise Husted Cromwell was born on November 28, 1885, in Brooklyn, New York. Her parents, Frederick Cromwell, a trustee of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York City, and Esther Whitmore Husted, were prominent members of New York society. Cromwell received her education at Brearley, a private school, and traveled extensively throughout Europe.

Literary beginnings
Cromwell began writing poetry at a young age. However, her family was initially opposed to her publishing work, viewing it as an intrusion on their privacy. Despite this, she managed to publish several poems in magazines such as Poetry and The New Republic. Her first collection of poetry, The Gates of Utterance and Other Poems, was published in 1915.

World War I and death
The entry of the United States into World War I in April 1917 significantly impacted Gladys Cromwell's life and career. In January 1918, she and her twin sister, Dorothea, joined the American Red Cross. The sisters were deployed to France, where they served as canteen workers in Chalons-sur-Marne and later at evacuation hospitals. Their roles exposed them to the constant threats of air raids and the relentless stress of being close to the front lines, which affected their mental and physical health.

By the end of the war, the Cromwell sisters were deeply impacted by their experiences. In January 1919, they boarded the French liner  in Bordeaux to return to New York. Concerned colleagues, including Dr. C. L. Purnell, noted their fragile state, describing them as "tired, nervous, and hysterical." Despite administering sedatives, the efforts to stabilize their condition proved insufficient.

On the evening of January 19, 1919, Gladys and Dorothea Cromwell died by suicide. Edward Pemberton, a sentry on La Lorraine, witnessed the sisters on the deck at around 7:00 P.M. He saw one sister suddenly climb the rail and jump overboard, followed immediately by the other. Although Pemberton quickly reported the incident, the ship had already traveled five miles from the location of their jump by the time the alarm reached the captain, making any rescue attempt futile. The Cromwell sisters left behind three notes addressed to Major James C. Sherman, their brother Seymour L. Cromwell, and their sister-in-law. The contents of these letters were not disclosed to the public. Their wills, dated January 2, 1919, contained a clause indicating a possible premeditation of their actions: “If my sister and myself die in or as the result of any common disaster or catastrophe, whether simultaneously or otherwise”.

A memorial service for the sisters was held on February 5, 1919, at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York City. Their bodies were recovered three months later and were buried in France with full military honors.

Posthumous recognition
In recognition of their service, the French government posthumously awarded them the Croix de Guerre and the Médaille de Reconnaissance française. A second volume of her poetry, Poems (1919), was published posthumously, comprising works from her earlier book as well as previously unpublished poems. Poems shared the 1920 prize from the Poetry Society of America with John G. Neihardt's The Song of Three Friends. Her poetry, characterized by a melancholic and introspective tone, reflected both the personal and collective traumas of her time.

Despite her early death, Cromwell's work was well-received during her lifetime, with contemporary critics praising her lyrical quality. In a review of her first book in the New Republic, Padraic Colum referred to her as "a younger sister of the great poets."