Elizabeth Alexander to Recite Poem at Obama Inaugration
The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that Elizabeth Alexander, a professor of African-American studies at Yale University, "will become just the fourth poet to appear at an inauguration ceremony when she recites one of her poems immediately following Mr. Obama’s inaugural address on January 20, according to the order of events released today by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies."
Ms. Alexander won the Jackson Poetry Prize last year, and was also a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 2005.
Robert Frost was the first poet to recite at an inauguration, reading “The Gift Outright” at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961 at age 86. Maya Angelou and Miller Williams appeared at Bill Clinton’s first and second inaugurations, respectively.
Other performances at the ceremony include musical selections by Aretha Franklin, Yo-Yo Ma, and Itzhak Perlman, as well as an invocation by Pastor Rick Warren and a benediction by the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery. —Reeves Wiedeman
Ms. Alexander won the Jackson Poetry Prize last year, and was also a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 2005.
Robert Frost was the first poet to recite at an inauguration, reading “The Gift Outright” at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961 at age 86. Maya Angelou and Miller Williams appeared at Bill Clinton’s first and second inaugurations, respectively.
Other performances at the ceremony include musical selections by Aretha Franklin, Yo-Yo Ma, and Itzhak Perlman, as well as an invocation by Pastor Rick Warren and a benediction by the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery. —Reeves Wiedeman
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