Clifton, Lucille (1936–)
Clifton, Lucille (1936–)
African-American poet and children's writer. Born Lucille Sayles, June 27, 1936, in Depew, NY; dau. of Samuel L. and Thelma Moore Sayles; studied drama at Howard University; entered Fredonia State Teachers College, 1955; m. Fred James Clifton, 1958; children: 6.
Served as poet-in-residence at Coppin State College, Baltimore (1971–74) and poet laureate of Maryland (1979–82); published 1st volume of poetry Good Times (1969), followed by such poetry collections as An Ordinary Woman (1974) and The Terrible Stories (1996), among others; published Some of the Days of Everett Anderson (1970), the 1st of 8 books which feature Anderson as the protagonist; other children's fiction includes The Black BC's (1970), All Us Come Across the Water (1973), My Friend Jacob (1980), Sonora Beautiful (1981) and Three Wishes (1992); was Distinguished Professor of Humanities at St. Mary's College in Maryland; taught at Columbia University (1995–99). Received Shelley Memorial Prize and Charity Randall Prize; won Emmy award; was shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize for Good Woman and Next (1988).
See also memoirs Generations: A Memoir (1976), Good Woman: Poems and a Memoir: 1969–1980 (1987), and Next (1987).