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Poet Laureate of the United States is Rita Dove
Rita Dove has made significant and lasting contributions to American literature. She has shed light on the depth and variety of the African American experience via the poetry she has written by drawing on both personal experience and shared cultural past. Her writing has lasting significance because it inspires readers to look for the general in the specific and because it serves as a reminder of poetry's ability to give voice to common human feelings.
Poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove has made significant contributions to the development of American literature. Dove's powerful voice reverberates throughout the fields of literature, culture, and civil rights for her ability to integrate personal storytelling with African American history.
Dove was born on August 28, 1952, in Akron, Ohio, and her parents encouraged her to pursue her education. After receiving her bachelor's degree with honors from Miami University, Dove went on to obtain her master's degree in creative writing from the University of Iowa.
Poetry of Rita Dove is characterized by its lyrical grace, emotional depth, and in-depth examination of the author's own heritage and personal history. She often uses events from her own life or that of her ancestors as inspiration for her artwork, and then ties those moments into broader social and historical topics including the African American experience, the role of women, and cultural diversity.
Significant Works and Accomplishments: In 1986, at the age of 29, Dove became the youngest person and the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry for her collection "Thomas and Beulah" (1986), which was inspired by her grandparents' life. Also of note are the novels "On the Bus with Rosa Parks" (1999), "American Smooth" (2004), and "Sonata Mulattica" (2009).
Dove was the first African American to be appointed U.S. Poet Laureate when he was given the honor in 1993. Dove prioritized expanding poetry's reach and recognizing the many voices that contribute to the American poetic canon during her time in office.
Dove left an indelible mark on the literary world and the lives of countless students and arts supporters. She continues to encourage a love of poetry and creative writing in her role as a professor of English at the University of Virginia.
Dove was born on August 28, 1952, in Akron, Ohio, and her parents encouraged her to pursue her education. After receiving her bachelor's degree with honors from Miami University, Dove went on to obtain her master's degree in creative writing from the University of Iowa.
Poetry of Rita Dove is characterized by its lyrical grace, emotional depth, and in-depth examination of the author's own heritage and personal history. She often uses events from her own life or that of her ancestors as inspiration for her artwork, and then ties those moments into broader social and historical topics including the African American experience, the role of women, and cultural diversity.
Significant Works and Accomplishments: In 1986, at the age of 29, Dove became the youngest person and the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry for her collection "Thomas and Beulah" (1986), which was inspired by her grandparents' life. Also of note are the novels "On the Bus with Rosa Parks" (1999), "American Smooth" (2004), and "Sonata Mulattica" (2009).
Dove was the first African American to be appointed U.S. Poet Laureate when he was given the honor in 1993. Dove prioritized expanding poetry's reach and recognizing the many voices that contribute to the American poetic canon during her time in office.
Dove left an indelible mark on the literary world and the lives of countless students and arts supporters. She continues to encourage a love of poetry and creative writing in her role as a professor of English at the University of Virginia.
