Join us for our 15th annual celebration of the work of Oregon's most famous and beloved poet, William Stafford. Born in 1914, Stafford was a celebrated poet, teacher, mentor, and champion of free speech and thought. He was a professor at Lewis and Clark College, received the National Book Award for Traveling Through the Dark in 1963, was poetry consultant to the Library of Congress (1970-71), and served as Oregon’s Poet Laureate in 1975.  A conscientious objector during World War II, Stafford died in 1993.
 
The program is hosted by Joseph A. Soldati, poet, long-time member of Friends of William Stafford and former chair of its board of trustees.  He is the author of four poetry books, including most recently the chapbook, On Account of Darkness.
Speakers:  Martha Gatchell, Paulann Petersen, Ingrid Wendt, Shelley Reece, Ralph Salisbury, Ann Staley, Patty Wixon, and Vince Wixon
Recorded Live at Central Library: January 25, 2015