About LUcille CliftonBorn Lucille Sayles Clifton. On June 27, 1936 in Depew, New York. She was the daughter of Samuel L and Thelma Moore Sayles. He worked in the New York steel mills and she was a launderer, homemaker, and avocational poet. Neither of her parents were formally educated but their interest in reading was what arose Clifton's interest as well. She entered college early at the age of 16 as a Drama major at Howard University in Washington D.C. As a writer, she focused on feminist themes/topics, such as the women's body and African American heritage. Her work emphasizes endurance and strength through adversity, focusing particularly on African American experience and family life. Clifton was also noted as saying much with few words. Married Fred James Clifton in 1958, whom she met through her colleagues and work. Her poems were mainly inspired by her own family of 6 young children, therefore she is also highly-regarded as an author for children. She continued to write, because "Writing is a way to continuing to hope...perhaps for me it is a way of remembering I am not alone." She passed away at age 73 on February 13, 2010, at John's Hopkins hospital from battling Cancer since age 58.
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"Lucille Clifton." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, 2010. Web. 21 Apr. 2015. .
Her Works |
homage to my hips
what the mirror said study the masters |
Her Awards |
Ruth Lilly Poetry prize in 2007
First author to have 2 books of Poetry chosen as finalists for the Pulitzer Price |