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.    

 

By permission, Cullen Whisenhunt, Archive Serendipities

 

Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma, FOLIO
Friends of Libraries USA          
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