TULSA, Okla. --- America’s favorite poet, Billy Collins, is coming to Tulsa Dec. 2 and 3 to receive the Tulsa Library Trust’s 2016 Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award.
The former U.S. Poet Laureate is the first poet to receive the prestigious prize; other past Distinguished Author Award winners, such as Wendell Berry and Joyce Carol Oates, have published poetry but are better known for their novels and nonfiction.
Collins will receive the award, which consists of a $40,000 cash prize and an engraved crystal book, at a black-tie dinner in his honor on Friday, Dec. 2 at Central Library, Fifth Street and Denver. He will give a free public address on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10:30 a.m. at Central Library. Copies of his books will be available for purchasing at the event.
The author of 12 collections of poetry, including his latest volume, “The Rain in Portugal,” released this fall, Collins is an American phenomenon – no poet since Robert Frost has managed to combine high critical acclaim with such broad popular appeal. His works frequently are best-sellers and his readings normally are standing-room only.
Collins is famous for his approachable, witty and conversational style. He has an extraordinary ability to balance humor with serious themes.
In conjunction with the Distinguished Author Award, the Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries will offer “Books Sandwiched In: A Billy Collins Sampler” on Monday, Nov. 28 from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. in Aaronson Auditorium at Central Library. Adrian Alexander, dean of McFarlin Library at the University of Tulsa, will introduce the audience to a sampling of Collins’ works.
For more information about Collins’ visit to Tulsa or the Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award, visit www.helmerichaward.org or call 918-549-7323.