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Lily Peter
[edit]Lily Peter | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1891, June 2 Phillips County, Arkansas |
| Died | 1991, July 26 Near Marvell, at her home |
| Nationality | White |
| Education | 1. Colombia University
2. Vanderbilt 3. Julliard School 4. University of Memphis 5. John Hopkins University 6. University of Chicago |
| Occupation(s) | State poet laureate, author, farmer, teacher, musician, conservationist and philanthropist |
Lily Peter, state poet laureate, author, farmer, teacher, musician, conservationist and philanthropist.[1]
Biography
[edit]Lily Peter was a successful person who held a number of positions including state poet laureate, notable author, farmer, teacher, musician, conservationist, and philanthropist (born 2 June, 1891[1], and died on 26 July, 1991[1]). She was the oldest of 10 children, and after her father passed away in an accident in 1907, she took over management of the family property. Despite her financial difficulties, she was able to make the farm profitable and even partnered with her brother to purchase a second plantation. She ran both plantations after her brother passed away. Peter experimented with organic farming and was a vocal proponent of environmental and conservation causes.[1]
Born near the small town of Marvell in Phillips County, her childhood was met with great tragedy. Five of her brother and sisters died whilst children, along with her ill mother therefore forced to take the role of carer within her family. Attending high school in the nearby community of Ohio, since disappeared. Graduating top of her class, though wished for higher education, the needs of her family kept her close to home.[2]
Not long after her graduation, she returned to Arkansas to teach. Where she later became well known for her philanthropy. She renovated the college's historic chapel at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania's Moravian College. Later, in her honour, Peter Hall was given to the chapel. She was never married and frequently referred to the several students to whom she awarded scholarships as her children, saying that it was not her pleasure to have children. She took out a loan of $60,000 in 1969 to bring the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra to Little Rock for a performance because she was determined to bring more culture to Arkansas[2]. In addition to contributing funds to the construction of the Lily Peter Auditorium in Helena (Phillips County)[3], which provides the local community with cultural entertainment, Peter distinguished herself as a philanthropist and a financial supporter of the arts by paying for the college education of several individuals.
Johnny Wink, an English professor at Ouachita Baptist University, communicated with Lily Peter, the state poet laureate of Arkansas, from 1980 until 1989. These letters can be found in this collection, along with news articles and poems.[1]
Peter was a lifelong writer who had a deep respect for language. She produced both published and unpublished writings. In the Beginning: Myths of the Western World, The Green Linen of Summer, The Great Riding: The Story of De Soto in America, and The Sea Dream of the Mississippi are only a few of her published works. These pieces combine lyrical, introspective poetry with historical poetry, most of which is focused on the Arkansas Delta.[3]
She loved friendly exchanges of letters with professors and writers. Later, these letters were gathered and given to the Arkadelphia-based Ouachita Baptist University. For the state's Arkansas Authors project, novelist Lyman B. Hagen of Arkansas produced a concise biography titled simply Lily Peter in 1982.[2]
Lily Peter passed peacefully in her home, shortly following her 100th birthday.[2]
Marital Status
[edit]Lily Peter never married, she chose to focus on caring for her family and contributing to the causes that held dear to her, for example: teaching, farming, music, writing, photography, and preserving and appreciating the environment.
Rewards/Achievements
[edit]- Peter's was announced the appointment as Arkansas's third poet laureate on October 6, 1971 by Governor Dale Bumpers, this remained until her death.[3]
- She received an honorary doctorate from the college in 1965 as further recognition for her writing, charity, and love of music.
- She was featured in Look magazine and on ABC News with Peter Jennings due to her unconventional advocacy of the state's fine arts.
Education
[edit]Lily Peter attended both Columbia University and Vanderbilt University to study English. Additionally, she obtained a master's degree from Vanderbilt.
On top of this, she also attended the following universities:
- Julliard School where she studied violin.
- University of Memphis
- John Hopkins University
- University of Chicago
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Archivists (1 January 2015). "Lily Peter Letters". Guides and Finding Aids.
- ^ a b c d "Lily Peter – teacher, author, poet, music lover, philanthropist". El Dorado News Times. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ a b c "Encyclopedia of Arkansas". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved 25 April 2023.