1932: Massachusetts Memorial Hospital Sylvia Plath was born on October 27, 1931 at Massachusetts Memorial Hospital in Boston,

Massachusetts. Her father, Otto Emil Plath, was a Boston University professor who taught German as well as biology. Otto also authored a book about the science of bumblebees titled Bumblebees and Their Ways. Sylvia s mother, Aurelia Schober Plath, was a a first-generation American of Austrian descent. Sylia s parents met while Aurelia was earning her graduate degree in teaching at Boston Univeristy. She was 21 years younger than Otto. Sylvia would be an only child for just over two years. Her younger brother, Warren, was born in April of 1934.

24 Prince Street, Jamaica Plain Sylvia s first home was located at 24 Prince Street in Jamaica Plain. The house is located on a quiet, one way street right off the Arborway.

First Church, 6 Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain While living at 24 Prince Street, Sylvia s family attended the First Church in Jamaica Plain, a Unitarian Universalist congregation located at 6 Eliot Street, just a short walk from their home. 92 Johnson Avenue

Shortly after Sylvia s younger brother Warren was born the family relocated to a home at 92 Johnson Avenue in Winthrop, Massachusetts, just east of Boston. The family resided here until 1942. While living here Sylvia submitted a poem to the Boston Herald which was published on August 10, 1941. The short, 4 line poem was the first time Sylvia Plath was published, at age 8 and a half.

1940: Otto's Death

Otto Plath passed away on November 5, 1940 of diabetes mellitus, a very curable disease. Otto was buried at a cemetery in Winthrop. A visit to his grave in 1959 influenced many of her works including the poems Daddy and Electra on Azalea Path.

Listen to author Peter Steinberg discuss Sylvia's visit to her father's grave.