Kooser Ted

Ted Kooser (Theodore Kooser)

Birth: Born April 16, 1939, in Ames, Iowa, United States.

Overview

Ted Kooser is an American poet, essayist, and translator known for a plainspoken, accessible style that often centers on everyday life, the land, and ordinary experiences. He served as the United States Poet Laureate from 2004 to 2006 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2005 for Delights & Shadows. A long-time journalist and later a professor, Kooser has contributed significantly to contemporary American poetry through his writing, teaching, and public outreach.

Public roles and honors

• U.S. Poet Laureate (Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress): 2004–2006
• Pulitzer Prize for Poetry: 2005, for Delights & Shadows
• Former journalist with the Lincoln Journal Star (Nebraska)
• Professor and mentor in poetry and writing, associated with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and related Nebraska literary communities

Notable works (selected)

• The Blizzard of One
• Winter Morning Walks
• Delights & Shadows
• Local Wonders: Seasons in the Bohemian Alps
• The Poetry Home Repair Manual: Practical Advice for Beginning Poets
• Other essays, translations, and poetry collections assembled over a long writing career

American Life in Poetry and public outreach

Kooser created and maintains the American Life in Poetry project, a long-running initiative that pairs contemporary poems with accessible commentary. The project has been carried forward through major literary platforms and is widely shared on Poets.org and related literary sites.

Recent projects and activities

Kooser has remained active in promoting accessible poetry, teaching, and public literary engagement. Notable ongoing efforts include the American Life in Poetry series and his work as a mentor to students and readers of poetry. He has also published nonfiction on poetry and creative craft, such as guidance for beginning poets.

Social media and public presence

Publicly verifiable personal social media profiles for Kooser are not widely published. For authoritative updates and appearances, refer to established literary organizations and institutions that have hosted Kooser or feature his work.

Where to find reliable information

Biographical and bibliographic information, along with official profiles, can be found at:

• Poetry Foundation – Ted Kooser profile
• Poets.org – Ted Kooser profile
• Library of Congress – Poet Laureate profile
• Pulitzer Prize – Ted Kooser

Notes: This profile summarizes widely known, verifiable public information about Ted Kooser. Birth details, major honors (Pulitzer Prize, Poet Laureate), and key projects (American Life in Poetry) are documented by major literary institutions. For the latest updates, consult the linked official profiles and institutional pages.