James Dickey

James Dickey
James Dickey
Born	James Lafayette Dickey; February 2, 1923; Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Died	January 19, 1997 (aged 73); Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Occupation	Poet; novelist; critic; lecturer;
Education	Clemson University; Vanderbilt University (BA, MA)
Period	Contemporary literature
Notable works	Deliverance; Buckdancer's Choice; Falling, May Day Sermon, and Other Poems; To the White Sea;
Notable awards	National Book Award for Poetry; Guggenheim Fellowship; United States Poet Laureate (1966–1968); Order of the South;
Spouses	Maxine Syerson (m. 1948; died 1976); Deborah Dodson (m. 1976);
Children	3; including Christopher and Bronwen
Signature
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army Army Air Forces; ; United States Air Force;
Service years	1943–1946 (Army); 1952–1954 (Air Force);
Unit	Fifth Air Force 418th Night Fighter Squadron; ;
Conflicts	World War II Pacific War New Guinea campaign; Philippines campaign; Borneo campaign; ; ; Korean War;
Awards	Bronze Star (5)

James Lafayette Dickey (February 2, 1923 – January 19, 1997) was an American poet, novelist, critic, and lecturer. He was appointed the 18th United States Poet Laureate in 1966. His other accolades included the National Book Award for Poetry and a Guggenheim Fellowship.

Although acclaimed as a poet, Dickey is most widely known for his debut novel Deliverance (1970), which he adapted into the acclaimed 1972 film of the same name. He was previously a decorated veteran of the Second World War and the Korean War, as a pilot in the United States Air Force’s 418th Night Fighter Squadron.