Midwest: Region Three
Henry, Gordon Jr.
Oct. 19, 1955 –
Place of birth: Philadelphia, PA
Place of Principle Residence: Big Rapids, MI
Biography:
Gordon Henry, an Anishinabe poet and novelist, grew up traveling to different military bases with his father Gordon, a member of the U.S. Navy, and his mother MaryAnne. Henry got his Bachelor’s Degree at University of Wisconsin – Parkside in 1980. His first break into fame came during his Master’s work in the English/Creative Writing program at Michigan State University where his poetry was included in Songs From This Earth on Turtle’s Back: An Anthology of Contemporary American Indian Poetry. Before getting his doctorate at University of North Dakota in 1992 Henry worked as an assistant professor at Ferris State University. He accepted a position as assistant professor of English at Michigan State University in 1993, where he remains today. Henry is a member of the Chippewa Tribe on the White Earth Reservation and has three children, Kelhi Ardis, Mira Ann, and Emily Rose.
Selected works:
- Pine Point Her Breath (1985)
- How Soon (1985)
- The Failure of Certain Charms (1991)
- Sleeping in Rain (1983)
- The Dream of The Golden Arrow, Leaving Skin, and Ahwosso—Past (1999)
Awards:
- 1997 Nominated for an Excellence in Teaching Award, The College of Arts and Letters, Michigan State University
- 1995 The American Book Award, for The Light People; presented by the Before Columbus Foundation, Oakland, California
- 1995 The Maxwell Anderson Alumni Award for outstanding achievements in arts and letters; presented by the English Department, the University of North Dakota
- 1994 Nominated for a National Book Award, for The Light People, by the University of Oklahoma Press
- 1994-95 Fulbright Lectureship, Fulbright Scholarship Board, Washington, D.C.
- 1992 Nominated for a Distinguished Teaching Award, College of Arts and Sciences, Ferris State University
- 1986 D’Arcy McNickle Memorial Fellowship, McNickle Center for the History of the American Indian, The Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois
- 1985 Katherine B. Tiffany Award for outstanding graduate student in the English Department, The University of North Dakota
- 1985 North Country Poetry Award, The University of North Dakota
- 1985 Thomas McGrath Poetry Award, University of North Dakota
- 1984 The American Academy of Poets Thomas McGrath Award, University of North Dakota
- 1983 Minority Merit Fellowship, through the American Culture Program, The University of Michigan
Critical Reception:
Gordon Henry is noted for the strong ties in his writing to Native American culture and imagery. His work has been widely published and he has received several awards for both his books and poetry.
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Henry focuses on his family history and the oral traditions of the Anishinabe (Ojibwa). He spreads his stories both locally and regionally as a storyteller and lecturer.
Pederson, Miriam E.
January 5, 1948
Place of Birth: Windom, MN
Place of Principle Residence: Grand Rapids, MI
Biography:
Miriam E. Pederson was born to Regina and Gordon Kling in Windom, MN. She graduated with a BA from Bethel College in 1966 and taught for several years in secondary education as an English teacher. In 1981 she went back to school at Western Michigan University, earning her MFA in creative writing. Since 1983 she has taught at Aquinas College as a professor of English, specializing in creative writing and literature. Her poetry has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, including New Poems from the Third Coast. Besides teaching and writing, Pederson gives poetry workshops and presentations to local schools and groups. Recently her poems have been on display in local and regional galleries in collaboration with her husband’s (Ron) sculpture. She lives in Grand Rapids Michigan with her husband and has two children, Benjamin and Madeline.
Selected Works:
- This Brief Light (2003)
- The Third Coast (1990)
- Primavera (1981)
Awards:
- 1984, 1985 Cranbrook Writers’ Conference Scholarship
- 1984 Winner of Kent County Poetry Competition
- 1989, 1990 Faculty Development Grants, Aquinas College
- 1997 Honorable Mention - “Renaissance Garden Exhibition,” Grand Rapids Art Museum (poetry in collaboration with sculpture by Dana Freeman)
Critical Reception:
Pederson has received several honors and awards, including an Honorable Mention at the Grand Rapids Art museum and Faculty Development Grants at Aquinas College.
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Pederson is a professor at Aquinas College, teaches workshops at local schools, and has won several awards from the Grand Rapids area. In addition, she has had her poetry displayed galleries both in Grand Rapids and the Michigan region with her husband’s sculptures.
Peterson, Wilfred Arlan
August 21, 1900 - June 2, 1995
Place of Birth: Whitehall, MI
Place of Principle Residence: Grand Rapids, MI
Biography:
Wilfred Arlan Peterson was born to Peter and Elsie Peterson in Whitehall, MI. He graduated from Muskegon High School and took extension coursed from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. From 1928 to 1965 Peterson worked as a creative direction and vice-president for Jaqua advertising, and in addition served on the advisory board for Sunshine Magazine and the editorial board of Science of the Min Magazine. His inspirational essays first appeared on the “Words to Live By” page of This Week Magazine in 1960, which was in 42 metropolitan Sunday newspapers, reaching over 13 million readers. Shortly after Peterson published his first book, The Art of Living, which quickly turned into a series. Eventually William J. Nicholas, editor of This Week Magazine, recorded Peterson’s first book into an album. In the course of thirty-seven years Peterson published ten books, which were translated into six different languages. His work was said to “save marriages,” and many readers affectionately esteemed him. Between 1970 to 1980 Peterson’s essays were made into greeting cards, calendars, and gift books and appeared in Hallmark stores. Peterson was married to his wife for fifty-eight years, before she passed away. He attributed her to being the inspiration of his books. For the majority of his life, Peterson lived in Grand Rapids Michigan, and had one daughter, Lilian.
Selected Works:
- The Art of Creative Thinking (1991)
- The Art of Living Day by Day (1972)
- The Art of Living (1961)
Awards:
- 1958 George Washington Medal, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge
- 1963 Silver Medal Award, Advertising Federation of America, National Advertising Man of the Year
Critical Reception:
“One of the best loved American writers of the 20th century, renowned for his inspirational wisdom and aphoristic wit.”
- Independent Publishers Group
For The Art of Marriage:
“[The] most frequently recited English-language wedding poems and one of the greatest odes to matrimony. It embodies the sentiments, the ideals, and the love to which any marriage aspires. The memorable simplicity of its language makes the poem a touchstone for all couples, both at the start of a relationship and after the blessings of a lifetime in love.”
- Souvenir Press
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Peterson spent all of his life in Michigan, living the majority of it in Grand Rapids, MI.