WFU hosts Nobel Prize-winning author Derek Walcott for workshop, booksigning and talk

Walcott is a poet, playwright, painter and literary critic. He has written 17 poetry collections, 12 plays and numerous articles on literary criticism. In 1992, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature for his poetry. He also co-wrote the 1998 Broadway show, “The Capeman,” with Paul Simon.

He was born in 1930 in Castries, St. Lucia, in the Caribbean. Walcott’s poetry reflects the diverse heritage of the Caribbean which has been a melting pot of races, cultures, languages and histories since the 1500s. He is a product of that mix, having two white grandfathers and two black grandmothers.

The Wake Forest English Department will sponsor Walcott’s poetry-writing workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Tribble Hall, Room C-3. Walcott will review work submitted in advance by participants. Space is limited and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Call Jane Mead at 336-758-5382 to pre-register.

Walcott will sign copies of his books at the College Book Store from 3-4 p.m. Copies of “Collected Poems” and “Omeros,” his newest poetry collection, will be on sale.

Walcott will also read his poetry in a program sponsored by the Wake Forest History Department at 7 p.m. in Benson University Center’s Pugh Auditorium.