Brooks Haxton

Brooks Haxton is a Professor of English at Syracuse University, where he has taught since 1993. He specializes in poetry, creative writing, and translation, with research interests in narrative forms, the natural world, and philosophical argumentation in literature. His work bridges classical and contemporary themes, often exploring human relationships with nature, spirituality, and existential questions.

Education:

• M.A. in Creative Writing, Syracuse University (1981)
• B.A. in English, Beloit College (1972)

Research focuses on narrative poetry, environmental literature, and translation from French, German, and Classical Greek. His notable works include Mister Toebones (2021), a collection exploring human-animal dynamics, and translations like Selected Poems by Victor Hugo (2002). He also authored Fading Hearts on the River (2014), a nonfiction account of his son’s poker career.

Awards and Honors:

• NEA Fellowships for Poetry and Translation
• NEH Grant for Scholarly Work
• Guggenheim Fellowship (year unspecified)

Teaching emphasizes poetry writing, narrative construction, and prosody. Recent courses include Forms - Seven Poets and Art and Craft of Poetry. He has advised numerous graduate students in creative writing programs at Syracuse and Warren Wilson College.

Literary contributions span over 30 years, with works featured in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Paris Review. His script for the Tennessee Williams documentary aired on PBS’s American Masters.