Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry

For Students 9th - 10th
This rich source includes a biography of Edgar Lee Masters (1869-1950 CE), a bibliography of secondary sources, his comments on Spoon River Anthology, a look at him as a trial lawyer and critic, as well as external links.
Website
City University of New York

Cuny: Dorothy Parker Rothschild

For Students 9th - 10th
This biography of 20th century poet Dorothy Parker discusses the many tragedies that impacted her life and the wit that made her writing famous.
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Biographies: Abraham Baldwin 1754 1807

For Students 9th - 10th
Baldwin was born at Guilford, Conn., in 1754, the second son of a blacksmith who fathered 12 children by 2 wives. Besides Abraham, several of the family attained distinction. His sister Ruth married the poet and diplomat Joel Barlow, and...
Website
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Richard Wilbur

For Students 9th - 10th
Read Richard Wilbur's biography and several commentaries about him.
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Wallace Stevens

For Students 9th - 10th
This site, part of the Modern American Poetry site maintained by the University of Illinois, provides biographical information on Stevens, commentary on many of his poems (including "Anecdote of the Jar" and "The Emperor of Ice-cream"),...
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: Famous African Americans Maya Angelou

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage contains biographical information about the famous author and civil rights leader and activist named Maya Angelou. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Southern Renaissance: Robert Penn Warren

For Students 9th - 10th
A founding father of the New Criticism movement in literature, this is a brief biography of Robert Penn Warren featuring his poetic and fictitious contributions to the literary world. See "Robert Penn Warren Activities" for related...
Activity
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography and analysis of the life of the famous author, as well as literary criticism as well as online poems, letters and a bibliography. Includes many quotes and his poetry.
Website
African American Literature Book Club

African American Literature Book Club: Jean Toomer

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Jean Toomer and links to two editions of his book Cane.
Handout
Bartleby

Bartleby.com: Poetry of Spenser: Spenser's Family

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Brief biography of Spenser and his family, with links provided to the entire contents of The Cambridge History of English and American Literature. Readers can find additional information on Spenser there.
Handout
Bibliomania

Bibliomania: James Russell Lowell Biography

For Students 9th - 10th
This Bibliomania site provides a biography of James Russell Lowell (1819-1891). Discusses his ancestry, education, and work as a poet, essayist, and satirist. Describes Lowell's role in the Abolitionist movement. Includes suggestions for...
Website
Academy of American Poets

Poets.org: Gary Snyder

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers a short biography with a photo. It also has the text to FOUR POEMS FOR ROBIN and HAY FOR THE HORSES.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: The American Novel: Literary Timeline: Authors: Sandra Cisneros

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography of American novelist, poet, short story writer, and essayist Sandra Cisneros.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: The American Novel: Literary Timeline: Authors: Stephen Crane

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography of American novelist, short-story writer, poet, and journalist Stephen Crane.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Poetry of Liberation: Amiri Baraka

For Students 9th - 10th
Poet and playwright Amiri Baraka is featured in this brief biography for his radical views and contributions during the Black Arts Movement in America. See "Amiri Baraka Activities" for related resources.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Poetry of Liberation: Allen Ginsberg

For Students 9th - 10th
Poet Allen Ginsberg is featured in this brief biography for his literary contributions to the Beat movement. See "Allen Ginsberg Activities" for related resources.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Poetry of Liberation: Adrienne Rich

For Students 9th - 10th
Adrienne Rich is featured in this brief biography for her contributions as a contemporary feminist poet and prose author. See "Adrienne Rich Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Gwendolyn Brooks

For Students 9th - 10th
Writer Gwendolyn Brooks is presented in this biography for her contributions to African American literature. Click on "Gwendolyn Brooks Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Poetry of Liberation: Gary Snyder

For Students 9th - 10th
Gary Snyder is the focus of this biography, identifying his contributions to literature through poetry. Click on "Gary Snyder Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Poetry of Liberation: Lorna Dee Cervantes

For Students 9th - 10th
Lorna Dee Cervantes is presented in this brief biography, drawing attention to political and social messages which are camouflaged by vivid use of nature in her writings. See "Lorna Dee Cervantes Activities" for related materials.
Lesson Plan
Schools of California Online Resources for Education

Literature Unit: The House of Dies Drear

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
"The House of Dies Drear," is a powerful novel by Virginia Hamilton.
eBook
University of North Carolina

Documenting the American South: Memoir and Poems of Phillis Wheatley

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the University of North Carolina provides the full text of Phillis Wheatley's poetry, and her memoirs.
Primary
University of Virginia

Explorations in Black Leadership: Nikki Giovanni

For Students 9th - 10th
A video interview with poet and author Nikki Giovanni, civil rights activist. Includes full transcript of video and short biography.
Website
Other

Amba: Gary Snyder: Biography, Bibliography, Photo

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a biography of Gary Snyder on this American Museum of Beat Art site. There is also a bibliography of his works.