Charles Simic (1938–2023) was born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1954. A survivor of WWII, he settled in Chicago and later earned his degree from NYU while working nights. Simic published over 60 books, including more than 20 poetry collections. He received the Pulitzer Prize for The World Doesn’t End and was a finalist for the National Book Award. His honors include fellowships from the MacArthur and Guggenheim Foundations, the Wallace Stevens Award, and the Academy Fellowship. In 2007, he was named U.S. Poet Laureate. Simic also translated poetry from several languages and wrote influential essays. Known for his surreal, spare, and darkly humorous verse, he taught for decades at the University of New Hampshire, where he was professor emeritus.