Kevin Prufer

Kevin Prufer is a Professor in the Department of English at the University of Houston's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. As an acclaimed poet and editor, he directs The Unsung Masters Series (unsungmasters.org), dedicated to reviving overlooked literary voices. His poetry collections and edited volumes have gained international recognition, with translations appearing in multiple languages and publications in prestigious journals including The Paris Review, Poetry, and The New Republic.

Education:

• MFA, Washington University, St. Louis (1996)
• M.A., Hollins Graduate Writing Program (1994)
• B.A., Wesleyan University (1992)

Research Focus: Prufer specializes in American poetry, translation studies, and literary curation. His editorial work explores poetic anthologies, cross-cultural translations, and the evolution of 21st-century publishing frameworks.

Awards & Recognition:

• 2021: Texas Institute of Letters induction
• 2019: Julie Suk Award and Pulitzer/Rilke Prize nominations
• 2018: Lyric Poetry Prize
• 2015: NYT Top 10 Poetry Books selection
• 2011: Lannan Foundation Fellowship
• Multiple Pushcart and Poets Prize honors

Academic Contributions: Prufer teaches poetry at undergraduate and graduate levels while leading The Unsung Masters Series. His current projects include a new poetry collection and a critical study of short story writer Jean Ross Justice.