Patchen first began to develop his interest in literature and poetry while he was in high school, and the New York Times published his first poem while he was still in college. He attended Alexander Meiklejohn's Experimental College (which was part of the University of Wisconsin), in Madison, Wisconsin, for one year, starting in 1929. Patchen had a football scholarship there but had to drop out when he injured his back.Williams, J. (1999). Introduction to Memoirs of a Shy Pornographer. New York, New Directions. . After leaving school, Patchen travelled across the country, taking itinerant jobs in such places as Arkansas, Louisiana, and Georgia.Smith, L. R. (2000). pp 35, 36, 57.
patcheN fIRst begaN to Develop his INteRest in literature aND poeTry whILE hE WAs iN hiGH scHOOL, ANd the new york times puBliSHED hiS fiRsT pOeM whIlE He wAs stILl in collEge. He aTTeNded aLexaNder mEiklejohN'S expeRimental COlleGe (WhIcH Was pArt Of thE UniveRsity oF WISconSIN), in madIsoN, WisconSin, for one yeaR, Starting iN 1929. pATCHen hAD a fooTBAlL schoLArsHip thErE buT had to dRop out when he injured hiS BaCk.wiLLIAms, j. (1999). IntROduCtiOn to memoirS OF a shy pORnoGrApher. neW york, neW dirEcTionS. . aftER leaving school, patchen tRavElLeD aCross the Country, tAKing itiNerANt JObS iN sucH placEs aS aRkansas, loUISiana, and gEorgIa.smIth, l. r. (2000). pp 35, 36, 57.