Is Donald Hall Living or Dead?

About Donald Hall

Donald Hall was a prolific American writer, born on September 20, 1928, in Hamden, Connecticut. He was a poet, essayist, memoirist, and children's book author, and his work spanned over six decades. Hall's writing was deeply rooted in his rural New England upbringing, and he often explored themes of loss, grief, and the passage of time.

Hall's poetry was highly regarded, and he received numerous awards throughout his career, including the National Medal of Arts in 2010. He was also the Poet Laureate of the United States from 2006 to 2007. In addition to his poetry, Hall wrote extensively about his personal life, including his marriage to poet Jane Kenyon, who died of leukemia in 1995.

Hall's memoir, "Life Work," published in 1993, was a critical success and explored his life as a writer and his relationship with Kenyon. He also wrote a children's book, "Ox-Cart Man," which won the Caldecott Medal in 1980.

Despite his success, Hall remained humble and dedicated to his craft. He once said, "I'm just a guy who writes poems. I'm not a celebrity or a guru or a philosopher. I'm just a guy who writes poems."

Hall passed away on June 23, 2018, at the age of 89. His legacy as a writer and poet continues to inspire and influence generations of readers and writers.

References:

- "Donald Hall, a Poet Laureate of the Rural Life, Is Dead at 89" by Neil Genzlinger, The New York Times

- "Donald Hall, Former Poet Laureate, Dies At 89" by Lynn Neary, NPR

- "Donald Hall, Poet Laureate Who Found Grace in Grief, Dies at 89" by Emily Langer, The Washington Post