Marilyn Nelson

Marilyn Nelson was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Her books include The Fields of Praise: New and Selected Poems (1997), which was a finalist for the 1998 Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize, the 1997 National Book Award, and the PEN Winship Award; Magnificat (1994); The Homeplace (1990), which won the 1992 Annisfield-Wolf Award and was a finalist for the 1991 National Book Award; Mama's Promises (1985); and For the Body (1978); all published by Louisiana State University Press. She published the award-winning A Wreath for Emmett Till in 2005 and Miss Crandall’s School for Young Ladies and Little Misses of Color in 2007; both are books for young readers.

Marilyn Nelson was appointed State Poet Laureate of Connecticut by the Connecticut Commission on the Arts on June 28, 2001. She served a five-year term in the honorary position, which was created by the General Assembly to recognize a Connecticut poet of the highest distinction.