Welcome to The St. Louis Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• St. Louis loses bid to host global hockey tournament

• St. Louis sports recap

• A deep dive into the life of T.S. Eliot

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.”

— Oliver Wendell Holmes

Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

St. Louis hosted a major international exposition in the early 20th century, which included the first Olympic Games held in the United States. What was this event called?

A) The St. Louis World's Fair

B) The Missouri Exposition

C) The Louisiana Purchase Exposition

D) The Great American Exposition

News

💼 Business

St. Louis' efforts to host a global hockey tournament have unfortunately fallen short. Despite a strong bid and the city's rich hockey history, another location was chosen for the event. This outcome is a setback for local fans and the sports community, who had hoped to see a major hockey event in their city.

National Construction Firm's New Hire: A national construction firm has strengthened its presence in St. Louis by hiring a well-respected local executive for the newly created position of St. Louis Regional President. This strategic hire indicates the firm's commitment to expanding its operations in the region and capitalizing on the local executive's extensive industry experience and network.

🏒 Sports

Recap of St. Louis Sports in 2023: The year 2023 was marked by significant changes and developments in St. Louis' professional sports landscape. This included noteworthy events and progressions for teams like the Cardinals, Blues, CITY SC, and the Battlehawks, among others​​.

Famous People In St. Louis History

T.S. Eliot: 1888-1965

Early Life and St. Louis Roots (1888-1906) 

Thomas Stearns Eliot, born on September 26, 1888, in St. Louis, Missouri, grew up in a distinguished family with strong community ties. The cultural landscape of St. Louis, combined with his family's intellectual atmosphere, significantly influenced Eliot's early development and interest in literature and philosophy.

Literary Career and "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" (1907-1915) 

Eliot's early experiences in St. Louis laid the groundwork for his later career as a writer. After attending Harvard University, he moved to England but remained influenced by his St. Louis upbringing. His first major poem, "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," reflected his deep intellectual and cultural roots.

Modernist Pioneer and "The Waste Land" (1916-1930) 

Eliot became a central figure in the Modernist movement in literature. His most famous work, "The Waste Land" (1922), is considered one of the 20th century's most important poems, showcasing his innovative style and profound influence on modern literature.

Later Life and Nobel Prize (1931-1965) 

In his later years, Eliot continued to write influential poetry and essays, earning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948. Despite his move to England, Eliot often reflected on his St. Louis upbringing, which shaped his worldview and literary voice.

Death and Legacy (1965) 

T.S. Eliot passed away on January 4, 1965. His legacy as a poet and critic is profound, with his work continuing to influence writers and readers globally. His early years in St. Louis remain a significant part of his story.

Key Achievements of T.S. Eliot:

• Pioneer of the Modernist movement in literature.

• Nobel Prize laureate in Literature.

• Author of "The Waste Land" and "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."

• His works profoundly influenced 20th-century literature.

• Eliot's St. Louis roots played a crucial role in his intellectual formation.

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-Matthew Larsen

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