Nicholas Vachel Lindsay (November 10, 1879 - December 5, 1931), an American poet born in Springfield, Illinois, became known as the "Prairie Troubador." Lindsay early advocated jazz poetry.
While in New York in 1905 Lindsay turned to poetry in earnest. He tried to sell his poems on the streets. Self-printing his poems, he began to sell a pamphlet entitled 'Rhymes To Be Traded For Bread', which he sold as a self-perceived modern version of a medieval troubadour.
From March to May, 1906, Lindsay traveled roughly 600 miles on foot from Jacksonville, Florida to Kentucky, selling his poetry. From April to May, 1908, Lindsay undertook another poetry-selling trek, walking from New York City to Hiram, Ohio.
From May to September 1912 he travelled — again on foot — from Illinois to New Mexico, selling his poems in this manner. During this last trek, Lindsay composed his most famous poem, "The Congo". On his return, Harriet Monroe published in Poetry magazine first his poem "General William Booth Enters into Heaven" in 1913 and then "The Congo" in 1914. At this point, Lindsay became very well-known.