Miller Williams

Date of Birth: April 8, 1930

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: January 1, 2015

Biography

Stanley Miller Williams, known as Miller Williams, was a renowned American poet, editor, and translator. Born on April 8, 1930, in Hoxie, Arkansas, Williams was the son of Ernest Burdette Williams, a Methodist clergyman, and Ann Jeanette Miller. His upbringing in a religious household and the Southern landscape significantly influenced his poetry, which often explores themes of faith, family, and the human condition. Williams graduated from Arkansas State University in 1951 with a degree in biology. He initially pursued a career in science, earning a master’s degree in zoology from the University of Arkansas in 1952. However, his passion for literature and writing soon took precedence. He began teaching at various institutions, including Louisiana State University and Loyola University New Orleans. In addition to his teaching roles, Williams became a prominent figure in the literary community. He co-founded the University of Arkansas Press and served as its director, where he helped publish numerous works of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. He also edited several anthologies and translated works from Spanish, French, and Yiddish. Williams’ poetry is characterized by its accessibility, clarity, and emotional depth. He published over a dozen collections, including “Living on the Surface” (1966), “Points of Departure” (1986), and “Time and the Tilting Earth” (2008). His work earned him numerous accolades, including the Poets’ Prize, the Amy Lowell Traveling Scholarship, and the National Arts Award. Miller Williams is perhaps best known for reading his poem “Of History and Hope” at President Bill Clinton’s second inauguration in 1997. His connection to Clinton, a fellow Arkansan, brought his work to a broader national audience. Williams continued to write and teach until his death on January 1, 2015. He left behind a legacy as a poet who captured the complexities of human experience with grace and precision.

5 Interesting Facts about Miller Williams

1. Miller Williams read his poem “Of History and Hope” at President Bill Clinton’s second inauguration in 1997.

2. He co-founded the University of Arkansas Press and served as its director.

3. Williams initially pursued a career in science, earning a master’s degree in zoology before turning to poetry.

4. He was the father of the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams.

5. Williams translated works from multiple languages, including Spanish, French, and Yiddish.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Miller Williams

1. “Have compassion for everyone you meet, even if they don’t want it. What appears bad manners, an ill temper or cynicism is always a sign of things no ears have heard, no eyes have seen. You do not know what wars are going on down there where the spirit meets the bone.”

2. “The way we live our days is the way we live our lives.”

3. “We are not forgiven because we are good. We are forgiven because we are loved.”

4. “We know the past and we imagine the future; that is what makes us different from other animals.”

5. “Poetry is what we turn to in the most important moments of our lives.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Miller Williams’ net worth was never publicly disclosed, but his contributions to literature and academia were invaluable.

Children

Miller Williams had three children, including the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams, who has cited her father as a significant influence on her own work. His other children are Robert Miller Williams and Karyn Elizabeth Williams.