Mary Oliver Lesbian Pulitzer Prize Winning Poet Dead at 83

Mary Oliver, Pulitzer-Prize winner died on  Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019 from Lymphoma. She was 83 years old.

Oliver was the author of more than 15 essay and poetry collections. He first poetry book “No Voyage and Other Poems” was published when she was 28 years old. Her fifth book “America Primitive” earned her a Pulitzer Prize.

Oliver used to get ideas for her poems during longs walks. This tradition started as a child growing up in Ohio. She placed pencils in trees where she used to walk so she would have them while hiking.

In an interview with Maria Shriver, Oliver discussed that she was sexually abused as a child and it left her permanently scarred. She also said her parents physically neglected her.

In the 1950’s Oliver met a photographer named Molly Malone Cook, and for more than 40 years they were partners.  Cook also worked as Oliver’s literary agent, and they resided in Province-town, Massachusetts where it was socially acceptable to be gay. Cook died in 2005.

In an interview with NPR, Oliver said when one wrote poetry it was essential to keep things simple. She believed that for poetry to be understood it must be clear, and whatever is not necessary should not be written in the poem. Simple was always best for all aspects of a person’s life.

Written By Barbara Sobel

Sources:

USA Today: Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver dies at 83
AutoStraddle: Mary Oliver, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Lesbian Poet, Is Dead at 83
NPR: Beloved Poet Mary Oliver, Who Believed Poetry ‘Mustn’t Be Fancy,’ Dies At 83

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