WHEN: September 17, 2005
WHERE: His hometown of Rutherford, NJ (20 minutes from NYC)
William Carlos Williams, a world-renowned poet who died in 1963 at age 80, is considered to be one of the fathers of modern American poetry. A pediatrician, Dr. Williams also practiced medicine in his home at 9 Ridge Road for over 40 years. In between delivering 2,000 babies, making thousands of house calls, and seeing more than a million patients, he produced some 25 books of poetry, including his five-book poem, Paterson, as well as nine books of short stories, novels and other fiction, a collection of plays, an autobiography, and books of essays. His last volume of poetry, Pictures from Brueghel, won a Pulitzer Prize.
This day-long event marked the first major celebration of Williams in his hometown in more than 20 years. It was held at the Williams Center for the Performing Arts at One Williams Plaza and at the Rutherford Public Library, two blocks away at 150 Park Avenue.
The program included poetry readings, panel discussions, slide presentations, a bus tour, open readings, films, photo exhibits, a performance of one of his plays, and more. Click on the sidebar links for details about the 2005 programs, schedule, and presenters.
| The Red Wheelbarrow | |
| by William Carlos Williams | |
so much depends | |
| Copyright © 1962 by William Carlos Williams. Used with permission of New Directions Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this poem may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. | |
