William Stafford Celebration

Join us in celebrating the life and work of former Oregon Poet Laureate, William Stafford. At this reading, jointly sponsored by the Friends of William Stafford and the West Linn Public Library, featured presenters will read a poem by Stafford. Audience members will be invited to read a Stafford poem or share an experience involving the late Oregon Poet Laureate and longtime resident of Lake Oswego.

The first Stafford Birthday event was held at the West Linn Library in 1997. Since then, the annual celebration has grown to include venues throughout the United States and in many countries around the world.

Stafford was born January 17, 1914 and died August 28, 1993. His first major collection of poetry, "Traveling Through the Dark," published when he was 48, won the National Book Award for Poetry in 1963.