JOHN BERRYMAN

On October 21, 2005 Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma, FOLIO, dedicated the City of McAlester as an Oklahoma Literary Landmark in honor of John Berryman, a native son.  Berryman, a poet and critic, is the only Oklahoma writer to win the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and Bollingen Prize.  John Berryman was born in McAlester and spent his childhood in Southeastern Oklahoma.   As the center of his childhood, McAlester was chosen as the Oklahoma Literary Landmark for 2005.     

A full day of activities took place on October 21.  There were Board meetings in the morning for FOLIO and OLA, the Oklahoma Library Association. An Italian lunch was shared by FOLIO, OLA, the Board of Trustees for the Southeastern Public Library System, the Friends of the McAlester Public Library, and other state and local groups and notables.    

Friends of Libraries U.S.A. Literary Landmarks Register McAlester, Oklahoma

The Birthplace on October 25, 1914 of John Berryman, Poet and

Biographer,  Honored with the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and

Bollingen Prize.  This Community at the center of His childhood in small town

Oklahoma Is designated a literary Landmark by Friends of Libraries U.S.A

Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma, FOLIO, October 21, 2005

Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma , FOLIO          

Friends of Libraries US A           

Friends of the McAlester Public Library              

McAlester Public Library

Oklahoma Center for the Book                      

Oklahoma Center for Poets & Writers

Oklahoma Department of Education                

Oklahoma Department of Libraries

Oklahoma Historical Society

Oklahoma Library Association

Southeastern Public Library System                 

World Literature Digest

The Oklahoma Literary Landmark Steering Committee

Michael Wallis, Author, Chair                                      

Julia Brady Ratliff, FOLIO, Co-Chair

Dr. Bob Blackburn, Director, Oklahoma Historical Society

Lee B. Brawner, Retired Director of the Metropolitan Library System

Glenda Carlile, Director, Oklahoma Center for the Book    

David Draper Clark , Editor, World Literature Today

Emily Dunigan, President of the Friends of the McAlester Public Library

Eugene Earsom, Executive Director of OKAGE

Jeanne Johnson, President of the Oklahoma Library Association

Lynn McIntosh, Director of the Chickasaw Library System.

Carol McReynolds, President, FOLIO  

Teresa Miller, Director, Oklahoma Center for Poets & Writers

Jennifer Paustenbaugh, Oklahoma State University              

Christine Sauro, Head Librarian, McAlester Public Library

Tom Terry, President, FOLIO