Mark Wunderlich (born 1968) is an American poet, editor, and educator. He is widely recognized for his contributions to contemporary American poetry and his leadership in creative writing pedagogy.
Early Life and Education
Wunderlich was born in Winona, Minnesota, and raised in rural Fountain City, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later attended Columbia University’s School of the Arts, where he received a Master of Fine Arts in poetry.
Career
Wunderlich is the author of several critically acclaimed poetry collections. His debut book, The Anchorage (1999), was published by the University of Massachusetts Press and received the Lambda Literary Award. His second collection, Voluntary Servitude (2004), was published by Graywolf Press. His third book, The Earth Avails (2014), received the Rilke Prize from Texas Christian University and was a finalist for the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. His fourth collection, God of the Noonday Ant, was published in 2021.
In addition to his writing, Wunderlich has had a significant career in academia and arts administration. He has taught at several institutions, including Sarah Lawrence College, Columbia University, and Ohio University. He currently serves as the Director of the Bennington Writing Seminars, a low-residency Master of Fine Arts program at Bennington College in Vermont.
Style and Themes
Wunderlich’s poetry is often noted for its formal precision and its exploration of the intersections between the natural world, spiritual experience, and human vulnerability. His work frequently incorporates themes of rural life, queer identity, and the historical or religious past.
Honors and Awards
Wunderlich has received numerous honors for his literary work, including:
- A Guggenheim Fellowship
- Two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts
- The Rilke Prize
- The Lambda Literary Award
- A fellowship from the Civitella Ranieri Foundation
- The Amy Lowell Poetry Travelling Scholarship
