Department of English
Sophie Kerr Lecture Series: David Wojahn
Emily Willen watches Wojahn sign her book as Liz Claud waits to meet Wojahn.
David Wojahn is the author of seven books of poetry and has been the recipient of many awards and prizes: the Amy Lowell Poetry Traveling Scholarship, the William Carlos Williams Award and the Celia B. Wagner Award from the Poetry Society of America, Vermont College's Crowley/Weingarten Award for Excellence in Teaching, Poetry magazine's George Kent Prize and three Pushcart Prizes. This year Wojahn was one of two finalists for the Pulitzer Prize in poetry for his book Interrogation Palace. His poems have appeared in The New Republic, The New Yorker, Poetry and elsewhere.
Listen to a poem from the reading
September 19, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. in the Sophie Kerr Room
Click to enlarge photos.
David Wojahn signs books for Kelsey Brannick and Mark Trego.
David Wojahn signs a book for Allison Fischbach '10. In the background, Assistant Professor of English Peter Campion talks with students about the reading.
David Wojahn takes the podium.
Katie Rivara and Derek Anzalone wait in line to get their books signed by David Wojahn.
David Wojahn reads from his book of poetry, Interrogation Palace.
Press Release for Wojahn's Pulitzer Prize win.
Reviews of Interrogation Palace from The Univeristy of Pittsburgh Press:
"This sternly chosen sampling should strengthen, if not alter, Wojahn's reputation as an elegist, autobiographer and poetic historian - sometimes as all three at once. Those who already know his strengths will rejoice in the new work, especially in the remarkable and well-informed protest poems." -Publishers Weekly
"Wojahn's poems . . . integrate confessional and academic modes with honesty and skill." -Fred Muratori, Library Journal
"Interrogation Palace shows that David Wojahn has been faithful to his vision. Never afraid of the arcane and experimental, he somehow keeps both feet in this world and propels us through an inner sanctum of angels and rock music, soothsayers and popular history, and philosophers and postmodern mystery. At the heart of Wojahn's poetry is the raw data of pain and joy. This wonderful poet knows how to conjure laughter through a witty, earthy language." -Yusef Komunyakaa
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