Wallace Stevens was an American poet born on April 2, 1879, in Reading, Pennsylvania. He is known for his unique style that blends imagination and reality, often exploring themes of perception and the nature of existence. Stevens worked as an insurance executive while writing poetry, which contributed to his distinct perspective on life and art. His most famous works include the collections Harmonium and The Collected Poems of Wallace Stevens, which showcase his innovative use of language and vivid imagery. Stevens received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1955, solidifying his place as one of the most important American poets of the 20th century.