Robert Pinsky

About

American poet, translator, literary critic, and United States Poet Laureate (1997-2000) who is known for The Want Bone, Selected Poems, and other works. He also served as poetry editor of Slate magazine.

Before Fame

He studied at Rutgers University and Stanford University. He published his debut poetry collection, Sadness and Happiness, in 1975.

Trivia

He once played saxophone. In fact, jazz music, with its elements of improvisation and deep emotion, became a major influence on Pinsky's poetic work.

Family Life

He married psychologist Ellen Jane Bailey in 1961. The couple had three children.

Associated With

His translation of Czeslaw Milosz's The Separate Notebooks received much critical acclaim.