Occupation: Writer; Poet
Born: Dover, New Jersey, August 21, 1929
Education:
DLitt (Honorary), Westfield State College (2002)
LHD (Honorary), Lawrence University (1988)
MA, Columbia University (1951)
BSC, Seton Hall University (1950)
DFA (Honorary), Adelphi University
Career:
Freelance Writer; Poet
Professor of English, Tufts University (1973-1979)
Assistant Professor of English (1963)
Military:
With, U.S. Navy (1951-1955)
Creative Works:
Author, “Fits of Concision: Collected Poems of Six or Fewer Lines,” Grolier Poetry Press (2014); Author, “A Hoarse Half-Human Cheer,” Curtis Brown Unlimited (2014); Author, “An Introduction to Poetry,” Pearson/Longman (2009); Co-Author, “Writing and Revising: A Portable Guide,” St. Martin’s Press (2007); Author, “In a Prominent Bar in Secaucus: New and Selected Poems, 1955-2007,” Johns Hopkins University Press (2007); Author, “An Introduction to Fiction,” Pearson/Longman (2007); Co-Author, “The Bedford Reader,” St. Martin’s Press (1982, 1991, 2006); Co-Author, “Handbook of Literary Terms,” Pearson/Longman (2005, 2006); Co-Editor, “Pegasus Descending: A Book of the Best Bad Verse,” Burning Deck (2003); Co-Author, “Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama,” Longman (2002); Author, “The Lords of Misrule: Poems, 1992-2001,” Johns Hopkins University Press (2002); Author, “Aristophanes’ Lysistrata,” University of Pennsylvania Press (1999); Co-Editor, “Knock at a Star: A Child’s Introduction to Poetry,” Little, Brown & Company (1982, 1999); Co-Author, “Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama,” Longman (1999); Co-Author, “The Bedford Guide for College Writers,” St. Martin’s Press (1987, 1996); Author, “An Introduction to Fiction,” HarperCollins (1995); Author, “Jimmy Harlow,” Salmon Run Press (1994); Author, “Nude Descending a Staircase: Poems, Songs, a Ballad,” Carnegie Mellon University Press (1994); Co-Author, “The Brief Bedford Reader,” St. Martin’s Press (1994); Co-Author, “An Introduction to Poetry,” HarperCollins (1993); Author, “An Introduction to Poetry,” HarperCollins (1993); Author, “Dark Horses: New Poems,” Johns Hopkins University Press (1992); Author, “Winter Thunder,” Robert L. Barth (1990); Author, “Fresh Brats,” McElderry Books (1990); Author, “Ghastlies, Goops, and Pincushions: Nonsense Verse,” McElderry Books (1989); Author, “Brats,” McElderry Books (1986); Author, “The Forgetful Wishing Well: Poems for Young People,” McElderry Books (1985); Author, “Cross Ties: Selected Poems,” University of Georgia Press (1985); Author, “Hangover Mass,” Bits Press (1984); Author, “The Owlstone Crown,” McElderry Books (1983); Author, “Missing Link,” Scheidt Head (1983); Translator, “French Leave: Translations” (1983); Author, “Did Adam Name the Vinegarroon?,” Godine (1982); Editor, “Tygers of Wrath: Poems of Hate, Anger, and Invective,” University of Georgia Press (1981); Author, “An Introduction to Poetry,” Little, Brown and Company (1976); Author, “An Introduction to Fiction,” Little, Brown and Company (1976); Author, “Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama,” Little, Brown and Company (1976); Co-Author, “Three Tenors, One Vehicle,” Open Places Poet Series (1975); Author, “The Phantom Ice Cream Man: More Nonsense Verse,” McElderry Books (1975); Author, “Celebrations after the Death of John Brennan,” Penmaen (1974); Author, “Emily Dickinson in Southern California,” Godine (1974); Editor, “Messages: A Thematic Anthology of Poetry,” Little, Brown and Company (1973); Co-Editor, “Pegasus Descending: A Book of the Best Bad Verse,” MacMillan Publishers (1971); Author, “Breaking and Entering,” Oxford University Press (1971); Author, “Bulsh,” Burning Deck (1970); Author, “Growing into Love,” Doubleday (1969); Author, “An Introduction to Poetry,” Little, Brown and Company (1966); Co-Editor, “Mark Twain’s Frontier: A Textbook of Primary Source Materials Research and Writing,” Henry Holt and Company (1963); Author, “Nude Descending a Staircase: Poems, Songs, a Ballad,” Doubleday (1961); Author, “One Winter Night in August and Other Nonsense Jingles,” McElderry Books
Awards:
Recipient, Robert Frost Medal, The Poetry Society of America (2009); Recipient, Poets’ Prize for “The Lords of Misrule: Poems, 1992-2002” (2004); Recipient, Award for Excellence in Children’s Poetry, The National Council of Teachers of English (2000); Recipient, The Shelley Memorial Award (1969-1970); Recipient, Lamont Poetry Prize, The Academy of American Poets (1961); Recipient, Bess Hokin Prize, Poetry Magazine; Recipient, Book Award for Poetry, Los Angeles Times; Recipient, Michael Braude Award for Light Verse, The American Academy of Arts and Letters; Recipient, the Golden Rose, the New England Poetry Club; Recipient, The Jackson Poetry Prize, Poets & Writers; Fellow, John Simon Guggenheim Foundation; Fellow, National Arts Council; Grant, National Endowment for the Arts
Memberships:
Former Member, New England Pen Association; Member, National Council of Teachers of English; Member, The Modern Language Association
Family:
Son of Joseph Kennedy and Agnes Kennedy
Widower: Dorothy Kennedy (Deceased, 2018)
Five Children
Grandchildren: Emily; Iris; Noah; Daniel; Caleb; Sarah
Hobbies:
Old Movies
