Fisher was born in New York City. After graduating from high school, he served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He then attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a degree in English.
Fisher began writing poetry in college, and his work was published in a number of literary journals. In 1953, he published his first book of poems, "The Half-Life." The book received critical acclaim, and he went on to publish several more books of poetry, including "A Scattering of Stones" (1958), "The World Between" (1963), and "In Other Words" (1969).
Fisher also edited several anthologies of poetry, including "The Viking Book of Poetry of the English-Speaking World" (1961) and "The Faber Book of Modern Verse" (1971). He also wrote a critical study of the poetry of Wallace Stevens, entitled "The Achievement of Wallace Stevens" (1969).
Fisher taught poetry at a number of universities, including the University of Washington and the University of New Hampshire. He also held the position of Poet Laureate of New Hampshire from 1981 to 1983.
Fisher died of a heart attack at his home in Durham, New Hampshire, in 2004.
Fisher's poetry is characterized by its formal elegance and its exploration of themes such as love, loss, and the nature of reality. His work has been praised by critics for its beauty, its intelligence, and its emotional depth.
Some of Fisher's most famous poems include:
* "I Am Not Old"
* "The Day the River Ran Away"
* "For a Friend Who Died Young"
* "Elegy for a Summer's Day"
* "The World Between"
Fisher was a major figure in American poetry for more than 50 years. His work continues to be widely read and admired by readers of all ages.