[close] She was the first person in her family to finish high school and attend college. She started Howard University on scholarship as a drama major but lost the scholarship two years later.

Thus began her writing career.

"Good Times", her first book of poems, was published in 1969. She has since been nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and has been honored as Maryland's Poet Laureate.

Ms. Clifton's foray into writing for children began with "Some of the Days of Everett Anderson", published in 1970.

In 1976, "Generations: A Memoir" was published. In 2000, she won the National Book Award for Poetry, for her work "Poems Seven".

Ms. Clifton is currently Professor of Humanities, at St. Mary's College, Maryland. [close]