Clifton, Lucille
1936-2010 · Contribution: 1969-2010
Poetry, memoir, and children's literature; spare, lowercase verse exploring African American experience, family, the body, and resilience; created the 'Everett Anderson' children's series
Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Impact on the world
Won the National Book Award for Poetry (2000, 'Blessing the Boats') and was the first author to have two poetry books named Pulitzer finalists in the same year (1988); Poet Laureate of Maryland (1979-1985); Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize (2007).
Life & background
African-American poet and educator born June 27, 1936 in Depew, NY. Studied at Howard University and SUNY Fredonia; taught at several universities. Died Feb 13, 2010.
Sources
- Poetry Foundation; Academy of American Poets; National Book Foundation
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