Lucille Clifton, original name Thelma Lucille Sayles, (born June 27, 1936, Depew, New York, U.S. died February 13, 2010, Baltimore, Maryland), American poet whose works examine family life, racism, and gender. Born of a family that was descended from slaves, she attended Howard University from 1953 to 1955 and graduated from Fredonia State Teachers College (now State University of New York College at Fredonia) in 1955. Three years later she married Fred James Clifton, and in 1969 her first book, a collection of poetry titled Good Times, was published. Clifton worked in state and federal government positions until 1971, when she
The Maryland Writers’ Association created the Writers’ Round Table Program to encourage writers, poets, playwrights and authors through monthly articles and activities.|