Billy Collins is one of the most widely read poets in America, and his witty, conversational poems illuminate the poignant details that often go unnoticed in everyday life. Within his archive at the Ransom Center are notebooks, drafts, proofs, and other documents relating to his poetry, essays, and other published works. His archive includes travel diaries, datebooks, sketchbooks and drawings, childhood writings, teaching materials, correspondence, and other materials that document his life ad career. [Read more…] about Billy Collins virtual poetry reading and discussion set for Dec. 3
Billy Collins
Notebooks illuminate creative process behind Billy Collins’s poem “The Names”
This story originally appeared January 21, 2014.
Among the papers in the recently acquired Billy Collins archive are materials related to his poem “The Names,” which was written to commemorate the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Interspersed throughout the poem are the names of 26 victims of the attacks, one name for each letter of the alphabet, from “Ackerman” through “Ziminsky.” [Read more…] about Notebooks illuminate creative process behind Billy Collins’s poem “The Names”
Meet the Staff: Q&A with Director of Development Margie Rine
Since coming to the Ransom Center in 2008, Margie Rine has significantly contributed to the Center’s development efforts. [Read more…] about Meet the Staff: Q&A with Director of Development Margie Rine
Billy Collins’s recommended reads
Billy Collins, former Poet Laureate of the United States, was honored by The Poetry Society of America in May at their annual benefit. [Read more…] about Billy Collins’s recommended reads
Ransom Center acquires archive of American poet Miller Williams
Miller Williams (1930–2015) wrote, edited, or translated more than 30 books and is best remembered for writing poetry in plainspoken language that captured meaning in everyday experiences. The Ransom Center recently acquired his archive, which documents the career and writings of this influential American poet.
[Read more…] about Ransom Center acquires archive of American poet Miller Williams
Notebooks illuminate creative process behind Billy Collins’s poem “The Names”
Among the papers in the recently acquired Billy Collins archive are materials related to his poem “The Names,” which was written to commemorate the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Interspersed throughout the poem are the names of 26 victims of the attacks, one name for each letter of the alphabet, from “Ackerman” through “Ziminsky.” [Read more…] about Notebooks illuminate creative process behind Billy Collins’s poem “The Names”