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photo by Andrew Shurtleff for The New York Times Christ School Alumnus Charles Wright '53Named United States Poet LaureateThe Library of Congress announced on June 12, 2014 that Christ School alumnus Charles Wright '53 will be the next United States Poet Laureate.
Mr. Wright has authored over twenty collections of verse. So far his collection of honors includes the Pulitzer Prize (for his collection of poems Black Zodiac, pictured right), the Bollingen Prize, the National Book Award and the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize - just some of many awards throughout his career. Mr. Wright was a graduate of Christ School class of 1953 where he enveloped himself in literature including the haunting Southern classics of William Faulker. At Christ School he was a very active student: Vice President of the sixth form, in the Honors program, the Journalism Club, and the Theater Program. He also was active in sports as a Little Greenies's football coach, while also playing on the varsity football, basketball and baseball teams. In 1998 he was honored with the Christ School Alumni Achievement Award. When he discovered The Selected Poems of Ezra Pound he was henceforth “enveloped by the fog of poetry” and went on to earn his MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Iowa. He then studied as a Fulbright Scholar at the University in Rome. Charles Wright now lives in Charlottesville and has retired from his position as a professor at the University of Virginia. When he received the news of being named the U.S. Poet Laureate, he was surprised but “very honored and flattered to be picked." Poet Dana Gioia, who was formerly the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, anthologized Mr. Wright's work. When reflecting on his collection of work, Ms. Gioia remarked “this is a poet who has spent a lifetime refining language to create poetry of tremendous evocative power.”  Mr. Wright was selected as one of a dozen other finalists - but the Librarian of Congress Dr. James Bilington found himself returning to Mr. Wright's work again and again. He explained that Wright's haunting collection features a "combination of literary elegance and genuine humility — it’s just the rare alchemy of a great poet.” Mr. Wright explained to The New York Times that among his enduring influences was his education at Christ School and another Episcopal boarding school: “I was left with the glowing shards of things which have continued to dazzle at me.” Pictured left is his senior yearbook photo. The excitement of such an accomplished poet leaves the Christ School community just as dazzled. "Our community is extremely proud of the honor bestowed upon Professor Wright," Headmaster Paul Krieger explained. "We look forward to having him return to campus and share his poetry with our students." The Poet Laureate post is an appointment of a single year, though it is sometimes extended to two years. Many laureates develop public outreach programs in addition to their official duties. It is truly an honor to see a Christ School graduate who lived and breathed his passion earn the post of Poet Laureate - joining the ranks of legends including William Carlos Williams, Robert Frost and Gwendolyn Brooks. Congratulations, Charles! |
