Richard Wilbur, Pulitzer Prize winning poet, dies at 96

Wilbur’s friend, poet Dana Gioia, said he died Saturday night with his family by his side. (Photo By Dana Gioia by Star Black, Public Domain)

Richard Wilbur, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and translator who intrigued and delighted generations of readers and theatregoers through his rhyming editions of Moliere and his own verse on memory, writing and nature, has died. He was 96.

Wilbur’s friend, poet Dana Gioia, said he died Saturday night with his family by his side.

The U.S. poet laureate in 1987-88, Wilbur was often cited as an heir to Robert Frost and other New England writers.

Wilbur’s poems were often brief, subtle, temperate, reflecting upon childhood, family, nature and the creative process.

He received numerous literary honours, including the National Book Award and two Pulitzer Prizes.