Walter McDonald



Walter Robert McDonald (born on July 18, 1934) is an American poet and retired academic.

Life
McDonald was born in Lubbock, Texas.

Before joining the faculty at Texas Tech, he was a pilot in the Air Force, and also taught at the Air Force Academy. Some of his experiences as a pilot are reflected in his verses.

In May 2002, he retired from Texas Tech University as "Paul Whitfield Horn Professor of English" and "Poet in Residence".

McDonald's most recent books of poetry include Faith Is A Radical Master and A Thousand Miles of Stars.

Recognition
He served as Poet Laureate of Texas in 2001.

He has received ncluding six awards from the Texas Institute of Letters and four Western Heritage Awards from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, McDonald received the Bookend Award for a lifetime of contributions to Texas literature from Texas Tech University Press in 2004.