Paul Southworth Bliss: Writer & More

Articles & Archive

A complete archive of writings on Paul Southworth Bliss,
North Dakota literary history, and the world of the book.

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2026

7 articles

Paul Southworth Bliss at Fort CrookAt Fort Crook, Nebraska, serving his US Army Reserves duty in 1935.

May 24, 2026Read →

World War IThe Courage of Captain Paul Southworth BlissLong before his name became synonymous with bravery in the Argonne Forest, Captain Paul Southworth Bliss was a disciplined soldier and thoughtful writer whose early experiences shaped his leadership under fire.

Apr 17, 2026Read →

PoetrySpring Day, 1934, by Paul Southworth BlissSPRING DAY — a poem from Spin Dance, 1934, by Paul Southworth Bliss.

Apr 7, 2026Read →

1918 influenza pandemicDeadly global flu pandemic during World War I : 1918On this day in history, the first confirmed U.S. cases of the deadly Spanish flu were confirmed at Fort Riley, Kansas. Paul Southworth Bliss was in Kansas on his way to France.

Mar 11, 2026Read →

PoetryThe Poetry of Byron Bobb of Adams County, North DakotaIn 1935 Paul Bliss wrote to a fellow WPA employee making mention of his neighbor Byron Bobb — a homesteader, former journalist, and poet whose small chapbook was later discovered at the Dakota Buttes Museum.

Feb 26, 2026Read →

Scoria LilyScoria LilyA photograph of the scoria lily by Lillian Crook.

Feb 12, 2026Read →

North DakotaPaul Southworth Bliss Papers in the North Dakota State ArchivesThe Paul Southworth Bliss Papers are held in the collections of the North Dakota State Archives.

Jan 11, 2026Read →

2025

8 articles

World War IWorld War I Memorials in North DakotaPaul Southworth Bliss was a veteran of World War I. Here are resources on WWI memorials in North Dakota and the national centennial commission's work.

Dec 10, 2025Read →

THE RYE IS THE SEAHunting Begins at FortyBy Paul Southworth Bliss from his book THE RYE IS THE SEA, illustrated by Harold J. Matthews — printed on brown paper, bound in burlap bag cloth.

Oct 3, 2025Read →

THE RYE IS THE SEAGREAT PROPERTY MANThe Great Property Man — a poem by Paul Southworth Bliss, October 17, 1936, en route Bismarck to Hettinger, N.D., from THE RYE IS THE SEA.

Sep 16, 2025Read →

depopulationDamming listers, the Dust Bowl, and Paul BlissIn Paul Bliss's letters, most written during the Dust Bowl years, Bliss wrote about damming listers and his interest in these new-fangled John Deere inventions.

Aug 19, 2025Read →

THE ARCH OF SPRINGA poem on August 11, 1932 by Paul Southworth BlissFrom his self-published book of poetry, THE ARCH OF SPRING, c1932 — written on the night of the Perseid meteor shower.

Aug 11, 2025Read →

DroughtThe weather in October 1938An article from Time magazine dated October 3, 1938: \"CATASTROPHE: Abyss from the Indies\" — a major hurricane strikes Long Island while drought continues on the great plains.

Jun 2, 2025Read →

DroughtDrought-breaker by Paul Southworth BlissA poem from Spin Dance, 1934 — the sheep and cattle stand heads low as the first rain since July arrives.

May 2, 2025Read →

THE RYE IS THE SEAThe OWL by Paul Southworth BlissTHE OWL by Paul Southworth Bliss, from his self-published book THE RYE IS THE SEA. Bismarck, 1936. Illustrations by Harold J. Matthews.

Jan 8, 2025Read →

15 articles in the archive

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