Final answer:
Robert Frost is the poet who won four Pulitzer Prizes and became a cherished American cultural icon, whose significant contributions to poetry were recognized both in the literary world and by the broader public.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poet who is one of the most publicly recognized and won four Pulitzer Prizes is Robert Frost. Frost was renowned for his poetry that mirrored the complexities of the early twentieth century American life, evoking themes of nature, rural life, and human emotion in his work. Throughout his career, he not only achieved critical acclaim but also became a beloved public figure, culminating in his invitation to recite a poem at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy.
Frost's work is characterized by his use of traditional poetic forms combined with the American vernacular, making his poetry accessible yet profound. He navigated the cultural changes of his time, reflecting both the warmth of nostalgic memory and the harsh realities of a modernizing world.