Jim Harrison

Who they were

Biography Harrison was born in Grayling, Michigan , to Winfield Sprague Harrison, a county agricultural agent, and Norma Olivia (Wahlgren) Harrison, both avid readers. [ 1 ] Harrison was born 18 months after oldest child John, with whom he was close. His younger siblings are Judith, Mary, and David. Harrison became blind in one eye after a childhood accident. [ 2 ] He wrote about this in an early poem: My left eye is blind and jogs like a milky sparrow in its socket... — Jim Harrison,

James Harrison was an American poet, novelist, and essayist. He was a prolific and versatile writer publishing over three dozen books in several genres including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, children's literature, and memoir. He wrote screenplays, book reviews, literary criticism, and published essays on food, travel, and sport. Harrison indicated that, of all his writing, his poetry meant the most to him.

Early life

Educated at: Michigan State University and Haslett High School.

Path and career

Worked with / for: Stony Brook University.

Awards / honours: Guggenheim Fellowship, PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Literary Award, Michigan Author Award, and Lucien Barrière Literary Award.

Why this date

Jim Harrison appears on our March 26 calendar for 2016 as a death entry.