Jack Elliott Myers

Jack Elliott Myers
Occupation	poet, professor, writer
Literary movement	New American Poets Modernism
Notable works	As Long As You're Happy

Jack Elliott Myers (November 29, 1941 - November 23, 2009), was a former Texas Poet Laureate and served on the faculty of Southern Methodist University in Dallas,Texas for more than 30 years. He was director of creative writing at SMU from 2001 through 2009. Mr. Myers co-founded the Writer's Garret, a nonprofit literary center in Dallas, with his wife, Thea Temple. He published numerous books of and about poetry, and served as a mentor for aspiring writers at SMU and as part of the writer's community and mentoring programs.

Early life

Jack Myers was born in Lynn, Massachusetts to Jewish parents, Alvin G. and Ruth L. Myers, and developed an interest in writing and poetry at a young age. In his twenties he worked many odd jobs to support his self-directed study of poetry.

Early Career

In 1968 he married his first wife, Nancy Leppert, and a year later they had a son. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts in 1970. After finishing his degree he moved his family to Iowa where he was involved with the Iowa Writers Workshop. He became friends with another workshop participant, Richard Hugo, whom he wrote a book about, titled A Trout in the Milk, in 1980.

His second son was born in Iowa in 1972.

Later Career

After obtaining his Masters of Fine Arts in Writing Poetry Jack moved his family to Dallas, Texas. in 1975 Jack was hired as an Assistant Professor of English at Southern Methodist University.

In 1981 Jack became a "Field Faculty" member of Vermont College, and in June of that year married his second wife,Willa Robins. This union produced two children.

In 1981 he also become the Program Chair of SMU's English Department and served on many committees. During this time he wrote hundreds of poems; edited anthologies; published The Longman Dictionary of Poetic Terms, a chapbook, and two collections of poetry. One of these, As Long As You're Happy, won the 1985 National Poetry Series (selected by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney).

In 1993, Jack met his third wife, Thea Temple, at an AWP conference in Norfolk, Virginia. They were married six months later. This union led to a literary partnership and the most productive period of Jack's life, and the founding of the non-profit Writer's Garret in Dallas, Texas.

Final Years

From 1993 until his death he publish nine books about poetry, taught at six universities, chaired the board of the Writer's Garret, directed the creative writing program at SMU, appeared on radio and television talking about writing and poetry, edited magazines, and founded the Writer's Community and Mentorship Program. He also won awards for his writing and teaching.

Jack was named the Poet Laureate for the State of Texas in 2003, and the City of Mesquite, Texas honored him with "Jack Myers Day."