American Poet
Remembering those we recently lost
Plant the first tree in their honor
Key moments and achievements from Joseph Kennedy's life.
Joseph was born
· Peabody, Massachusetts, USA
Won Award
X.J. Kennedy's first collection of poetry, "Nude Descending a Staircase" (1961), won the Lamont Poetry Selection. Born Joseph Charles Kennedy on August 21, 1929, he adopted the "X" initial to distinguish himself from Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
Won Award
X.J. Kennedy's first collection of poetry, "Nude Descending a Staircase" (1961), won the Lamont Poetry Selection. Born Joseph Charles Kennedy on August 21, 1929, he adopted the "X" initial to distinguish himself from Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.
Won Award
Kennedy received the 1969-1970 Shelley Memorial Award, adding to his growing list of honors that included Guggenheim and National Arts Council fellowships. He earned his BSc from Seton Hall (1950) and MA from Columbia University (1951), and studied at the Sorbonne in Paris.
Won Award
Kennedy received the 1969-1970 Shelley Memorial Award, adding to his growing list of honors that included Guggenheim and National Arts Council fellowships. He earned his BSc from Seton Hall (1950) and MA from Columbia University (1951), and studied at the Sorbonne in Paris.
Published Work
Kennedy and his wife Dorothy published "Knock at a Star: A Child's Introduction to Poetry" in 1982, an anthology including poems by William Blake, Bob Dylan, and other major figures. He received the NCTE Year 2000 Award for Excellence in Children's Poetry.
Published Work
Kennedy and his wife Dorothy published "Knock at a Star: A Child's Introduction to Poetry" in 1982, an anthology including poems by William Blake, Bob Dylan, and other major figures. He received the NCTE Year 2000 Award for Excellence in Children's Poetry.
Won Award
Kennedy won the Los Angeles Times Book Award for poetry in 1985 for "Cross Ties: Selected Poems." His dozens of books earned him numerous honors including grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Bess Hokin Prize from Poetry magazine, and the Golden Rose of the New England Poetry Club.
Won Award
Kennedy won the Los Angeles Times Book Award for poetry in 1985 for "Cross Ties: Selected Poems." His dozens of books earned him numerous honors including grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Bess Hokin Prize from Poetry magazine, and the Golden Rose of the New England Poetry Club.
Academic Achievement
Kennedy edited several editions of "Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama," one of the most widely used college literature textbooks. With his wife Dorothy and scholar Jane E. Aaron, he also edited "The Bedford Reader," used for teaching AP English.
Academic Achievement
Kennedy edited several editions of "Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama," one of the most widely used college literature textbooks. With his wife Dorothy and scholar Jane E. Aaron, he also edited "The Bedford Reader," used for teaching AP English.
Joseph Kennedy passed away
