Philip Schultz
Philip Schultz
Poet Laureate of New Jersey (2008-2012)
Full Name and Common Aliases
Philip Schultz is known professionally as the poet Philip Schultz.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: October 20, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois; still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American poet, essayist, playwright, translator, editor, and professor.
Early Life and Background
Philip Schultz was born in Chicago, Illinois, to a family of Jewish immigrants from Poland. His early life was marked by a tumultuous relationship with his father, which would later become a central theme in his writing. Schultz grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, where he developed an interest in poetry at a young age.
Major Accomplishments
Schultz's achievements as a poet and educator are numerous:
He is the Poet Laureate of New Jersey (2008-2012) and the first person to hold this position.
Schultz has published several collections of poetry, including "Living in the Past" (1980), "The Holy Weed" (1991), and "Artemis" (1996).
He is also a playwright, having written plays such as "Two by Two", which premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
As an editor, Schultz has worked on several anthologies of poetry, including "The Ode Less Travelled: Unlocking the Poetic Mind".
Notable Works or Actions
Schultz's writing often explores themes of family, identity, and social justice. His poetry is known for its lyricism and accessibility:
In his poem "Living in the Past," Schultz reflects on his complicated relationship with his father.
His play "Two by Two", which premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, explores themes of family dynamics and personal growth.
Impact and Legacy
Schultz's impact on American poetry is significant:
As Poet Laureate of New Jersey, Schultz promoted literacy and poetry throughout the state.
His work has been praised for its accessibility and its ability to engage readers from diverse backgrounds.
Schultz has taught creative writing at various institutions, including the University of Chicago and New York University.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Philip Schultz is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Accessible and engaging poetry style
Exploration of themes such as family dynamics, identity, and social justice
Contributions to American literature as a poet, playwright, translator, editor, and professor
* Work as the Poet Laureate of New Jersey (2008-2012)
Quotes by Philip Schultz
Hiding is existing in a constant state of alarm, remaining undiscovered, and inferior.
I’m the kind of father I wanted my father to be. That may be the sweetest revenge.
My poems often start with an idea, some kind of inspiration. I don’t expect anything. Every now and then something like “The One Truth” comes out.
To pay for my father’s funeral I borrowed money from people he already owed money to. One called him a nobody. No, I said, he was a failure. You can’t remember a nobody’s name, that’s why they’re called nobodies. Failures are unforgettable.
Emotional truth is the reward of digging deeply enough to find the truth about how one really feels, but in order to convey this truth with any force, or artistry, one needs to ‘create’ a form of expression, and this form determines its own “genuine information”.
My father’s death when I was eighteen and his struggles as a Jewish immigrant provided me with the raw material, but for a long time I went from painting to fiction and then finally to poetry before I could find the right way of telling this story.
To pay for my father's funeral I borrowed money from people he already owed money to. One called him a nobody. No, I said, he was a failure. You can't remember a nobody's name, that's why they're called nobodies. Failures are unforgettable.
Emotional truth is the reward of digging deeply enough to find the truth about how one really feels, but in order to convey this truth with any force, or artistry, one needs to 'create' a form of expression, and this form determines its own "genuine information".
Every artist has his or her struggle to work out in their work. The more powerful the struggle, the more persuasive the art.