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Acclaimed poet-critic Stephen Burt to speak on campus

October 1, 2014

The Department of Literature and Philosophy at Georgia Southern University, with support from the University’s Department of Writing and Linguistics, Campus Life Enrichment Committee, and College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, presents acclaimed poet and literary critic Stephen Burt on Wednesday, October 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Information Technology, Room 1004. A book signing will follow the reading, and both events are free and open to the public.

Burt, an English professor at Harvard University, has published several books, including Close Call with Nonsense, a collection of essays and finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. His other works include The Art of the Sonnet, Something Understood: Essays and Poetry for Helen Vendler, The Forms of Youth: Adolescence and 20^th Century Poetry, Parallel Play: Poems, Randall Jarrell on W.H. Auden, Randall Jarrell and His Age, and Popular Music. Belmont, his latest collection of poems, was published by Graywolf Press in 2013.

The New York Times describes Burt as “one of the most influential poetry critics of his generation,” and The Los Angeles Times says he “dismantles all cultural, psychological and literary idée reçue pertaining to childhood, identity, gender” in Belmont.

“Stephen Burt is an energetic and entertaining performer,” said Richard Flynn, Ph.D., of the Department of Literature and Philosophy, who is coordinating Burt’s visit. “His TED talk, ‘Why People Need Poetry,’ has been viewed more than 700,000 times. Students, faculty, and community members are sure to enjoy his reading and discussion of his poetry.”

The Department of Literature and Philosophy is housed in the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Georgia Southern’s College of the Creative Mind. CLASS prepares its students to achieve academic excellence, develop their analytical skills, enhance their creativity, and embrace their responsibilities as citizens of their communities, nations, and world. For more information, visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/class.