Born in New York City, Wilbur published his first poem at the age of eight. In 1942 he graduated from Amherst where he was the editor of the college newspaper. After serving in the army during World War II, he did graduate work at Harvard, then taught at Wellesley, Wesleyan and Smith. Wilbur published several volumes of poetry and translated the French works of Molière, Racine and others. Named the United States Poet Laureate for 1987-8, he also won two Pulitzer Prizes, a National Book Award and many other honors. 

Return to Resource Library Home Page

Revised May 2009
Please credit Lyric Opera San Diego when using this material.