Stanley Kunitz

Stanley Jasspon Kunitz (born July 29, 1905) is a noted American poet who served two years (1974–1976) as the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress (a precursor to the modern Poet Laureate program), and served another year as United States Poet Laureate in 2000. He is considered by many observers to be the most distinguished and accomplished living poet in the United States.

Life and work

Kunitz was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. After graduating from Harvard University, he became a published writer in his early twenties. From that point to the present, Kunitz's poetry has won praise from all circles as being profound and well-written—he continues to write and publish work as of 2005 at the age of 100. Many believe his poetry's symbolism is influenced significantly by the work of Carl Jung. Kunitz has himself been an influence on many 20th century poets, including James Wright.

Related Topics:
Worcester, Massachusetts - Harvard University - 2005 - Carl Jung - James Wright

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His book Passing Through: The Later Poems, New and Selected (1995) won the National Book Award. Kunitz has been the recipient of many other honors, including the 1959 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry, a National Medal of the Arts, Harvard's Centennial Medal, and a term as the state poet of New York State. He founded the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts, and Poets House in New York City. He also taught for many years in the graduate writing program at Columbia University.

Related Topics:
1995 - National Book Award - Pulitzer Prize in Poetry - Harvard - New York State - Fine Arts Work Center - Provincetown, Massachusetts - Poets House - New York City - Columbia University

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Kunitz was married to the late artist Elise Asher. He splits his time between Greenwich Village in New York City and Provincetown, Massachusetts.

Related Topics:
Elise Asher - Greenwich Village - New York City - Provincetown, Massachusetts

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