Marilyn Nelson

Marilyn Nelson (born 1946) is an acclaimed American poet, translator, biographer, and children's book author, known for her works exploring African American history, family, and spirituality, such as Carver: A Life in Poems, The Homeplace, and A Wreath for Emmett Till. She has received major awards including the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, Frost Medal, NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s Literature, three National Book Award nominations, and served as Poet Laureate of Connecticut from 2001-2006.