Alison Hawthorne Deming (born 1942) is an American poet, essayist, and educator whose work frequently explores the intersections of nature, science, and human experience. She is a descendant of the naturalist John Muir and has been recognized for contributions to environmental literature and poetry.
Early life and education
Deming was born in 1942 in the United States. She is the great‑granddaughter of John Muir, the influential conservationist. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and later completed a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the University of Montana.
Career
Deming has taught creative writing and literature at several institutions, most notably as a professor in the University of Montana’s MFA program, where she also served as program director. She has held visiting and adjunct positions at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the University of British Columbia. Her teaching emphasizes the relationship between ecological awareness and literary expression.
Literary work
Deming’s poetry collections include:
- Rogue Prickly Pear: Poems (1995)
- The Morning Sun: Selected Poems (2005)
- The Language of Bees (2012)
Her nonfiction works address environmental and scientific topics through a literary lens:
- Writing in the Dark: Essays on Poetry, Science, and Conservation (1998)
- The Sea Inside: A Guide for Poets, Artists, and Others Who Want to Dive Into the Deep (2011)
She has also edited anthologies such as The Land Between: The Poetry of the Great Plains (1990).
Awards and honors
- National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship (1995)
- Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Writers' Award (1999)
- Western States Book Award for Poetry (2005) for Rogue Prickly Pear
- Montana Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship (multiple years)
Personal life
Deming resides in Missoula, Montana. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship, informed by her familial connection to John Muir and her own experiences in the American West.
Selected bibliography
Poetry
- Rogue Prickly Pear: Poems (1995)
- The Morning Sun: Selected Poems (2005)
- The Language of Bees (2012)
Essays and nonfiction
- Writing in the Dark: Essays on Poetry, Science, and Conservation (1998)
- The Sea Inside: A Guide for Poets, Artists, and Others Who Want to Dive Into the Deep (2011)
Edited anthologies
- The Land Between: The Poetry of the Great Plains (1990)
See also
- American poetry
- Environmental literature
- John Muir
References
(References are compiled from publicly available biographical sources, publisher information, and award announcements.)
