Self-Publishing in the Early Twentieth Century

William E. Dimorier Was High School Principal and Unknown Poet

Jul 25, 2009

William E. Dimorier (pronounced Dimoree) was ahead of his time when he self-published two books of poems in the 1940s.

Dimorier's first book was a small soft-cover called The West Wind and other Verses, which he dedicated to his mother. The second was a hard-cover called Rhymes and Some Reason.

Dimorier’s themes include Lake Erie, the sea, nature, spirituality, and historical figures, such as Abraham Lincoln. His poems range from the very simple to quite complex in literary devices. He wrote lyrics that two composers used in their choral music.

Colgate University Educated Future Poet and High School Administrator

Born in 1871 in Sanford, NY, Dimorier did not graduate from high school until he was 25, but served as a teacher in several schools before, during, and after the time he graduated from Colgate University. In 1903, after college graduation, Dimorier arrived in Erie, PA, to teach English in the Erie School District.

In addition to teaching high school English, Mr. Dimorier directed school plays, and acted as treasurer of the debate team. He was also an avid sports fan and in 1913, he led the effort to raise $6,000 for an “athletic field,” which is where Erie’s Ainsworth Field stands along with the old Roosevelt School. He also helped manage the track team and the football team.

When Academy High School opened in 1919, Dimorier took the position of assistant principal. While at Academy he served as business manager for the Academy Singers, at the time one of the best choirs in the country. He booked their engagements and took care of other administrative matters for the singers. While at Academy High School, he earned the nickname, Demmie.

A decade after he raised the funds for the athletic field, he led the fundraising effort for around $100,000 for Veterans’ Stadium, which was named to honor the veterans of World War I.

AKD Printing Company Used Journal as Source for Poetry Book

Dimorier wrote his poems by hand in a journal, which was discovered in 2003 at an auction at defunct AKD Printing in Erie. The journal was the source of the poems included in Rhymes and Some Reason. It appears that Dimorier commissioned the book and passed out copies to friends and relatives.

Dimorier died in 1951 in Afton, NY, near his birthplace. He moved there after retirement and resided with his sister and her husband until he became ill and entered a hospital. He never married.

The Sea Calls

The copyright of the article Self-Publishing in the Early Twentieth Century in American Poetry is owned by Ann Silverthorn. Permission to republish Self-Publishing in the Early Twentieth Century in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.