Date of Birth: December 27, 1948
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Biography
Juan Felipe Herrera is a celebrated American poet, performer, writer, cartoonist, teacher, and activist. He was born on December 27, 1948, in Fowler, California, to migrant farmworkers. Herrera’s work often reflects his experiences growing up in a migrant farmworker community and his Chicano heritage. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Anthropology from UCLA, a Master of Arts in Social Anthropology from Stanford University, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Iowa. Throughout his career, Herrera has published numerous poetry collections, including “Half of the World in Light,” “187 Reasons Mexicanos Can’t Cross the Border,” and “Notes on the Assemblage.” His work has earned him multiple awards, including the National Book Critics Circle Award and the PEN/Beyond Margins Award. In 2015, Herrera was appointed the 21st United States Poet Laureate, making him the first Latino to hold the position. During his tenure, he focused on creating programs to encourage young poets and promote the importance of poetry in everyday life. He is known for his dynamic and powerful readings and performances, which bring his written words to life.
5 Interesting Facts about Juan Felipe Herrera
1. Juan Felipe Herrera was the first Latino to be named United States Poet Laureate.
2. He is a recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award for his poetry collection “Half of the World in Light.”
3. Herrera’s parents were migrant farmworkers, and their experiences deeply influenced his writing.
4. He has taught at various institutions, including the University of California, Riverside, and the University of California, Merced.
5. Herrera is also an accomplished cartoonist and has illustrated some of his own works.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Juan Felipe Herrera
1. “Poetry is a call to action, and it also is action.”
2. “The poet is an instrument of transformation and change.”
3. “Words are seeds, and we can plant them and make them grow.”
4. “Every poem is a momentary stay against the confusion of the world.”
5. “Poetry is a way of taking life by the throat.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Juan Felipe Herrera is estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Juan Felipe Herrera has one son, Joaquin Herrera, who is an artist and musician.
Relevant Links
1. [Library of Congress – Juan Felipe Herrera](https://www.loc.gov/item/n81013098/
4. [Academy of American Poets – Juan Felipe Herrera](https://poets.org/poet/juan-felipe-herrera
5. [UC Riverside – Juan Felipe Herrera](https://ucrtoday.ucr.edu/36955
