William Stafford: Poetry, Politics, & Place

Presented by Aaron Brown

Named United States Poet Laureate in 1970, William Stafford is perhaps the most celebrated poet from Kansas. Yet few understand his work as a pacifist and teacher. After graduating from Liberal High School, Stafford was drafted into the United States Armed Forces in 1941. He registered as a conscientious objector and performed alternative service that included forestry and wildlife conservation. Later, Stafford taught English at universities in Oregon, Iowa, and Indiana, but he never forgot Kansas. This presentation examines Stafford's relationship to Kansas and explores ways to read poetry through the lens of his powerful yet plainspoken poems.

Sponsored by: Kinsley Public Library

For more information about this event, please contact:
Joan K. Weaver
(620) 659-3341
http://www.kinsleylibrary.info