Billy Collins was born during the turbulent years of World War Two. At this time in history many things in life were difficult and uncertain. But on March 22, 1941, in New York, NY, the world received a gifted artist named Billy Collins. He grew up in the fifties and came of age during the sixties. He spoke of beatnik glory and hanging around Paris. While in Paris he met Ann Campbell, the Queen of the Beatniks. He spent most of his time hanging around the Boul Mich and discussing life. But that was only for one summer and admittedly he spent the rest of his time being a Catholic School Boy in the suburbs, always having to study and practice for band ( Alexandra van de Kamp 2002).
He earned his B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, and his Ph.D. from the University of California Riverside. He made his money by teaching English at City University of New York. Although he didn’t need to, he also made a six figure deal with Random House. When he wasn’t teaching or writing poetry, he would pass the time with his wife listening to jazz (Contemporary Authors Online 2004).
His career is as colorful as his poetry. He has worked at Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, NY as a professor of English beginning in 1971. He has also had the honor of serving as a Literary Lion of the New York Public Library. He has also been heard by thousands by performing at poetry slams and on National Radio programs (Contemporary Authors Online 2004).
Billy Collins has been awarded many honors over the years. He has received the following awards and distinctions; Poetry fellow, New York Foundation for the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, and Guggenheim Foundation; Bess Hokin Award, Oscar Blumenthal Award, Levinson Prize, and Levinson Prize, all from Poetry; appointed Literary Lion by New York Public Library; winner of National Poetry Series competition, 1990, for manuscript "Questions about Angels;" named as the 11th U.S. Poet Laureate, 2001; Mark Twain Award for humorous poetry, Poetry Foundation, 2004 (Contemporary Authors Online 2004).
