Inman, Will, 1923-2009

Poet, essayist, columnist, editor, and an activist for civil rights, peace in Vietnam, and communism. He was a native of Wilmington, N.C., is a 1943 Duke University graduate, and lives in Tucson, Arizona. He was born William Archibald McGirt, Jr.

From the description of Papers, 1910-2001. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 84133900

Poet, essayist, columnist, editor, and an activist for civil rights, peace in Vietnam, and communism. He was a native of Wilmington, N.C., is a 1943 Duke University graduate, and lives in Tucson, Arizona.

From the description of Papers, 1939-1995. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 40093287

• 1923, May 4: Born, Wilmington, North Carolina
• 1943: Graduated from Duke University
• 1964 - 1971 : Editor and publisher of Kauri, a poetry newsletter,
• 1967: Artist in residence, American University, Washington DC
• 1969: Married Barbara Ann Sherman
• 1969 - 1973 : Member of the English faculty, Montgomery College, Rockville, MD.
• 1973: Divorced Legally Changed name from William A. McGirt, Jr. to Will Inman. Moved to Tucson, Arizona

Will Inman was a poet, essayist, editor, and publisher. He was born William Archibald McGirt, Jr. in Wilmington, North Carolina where his father, William A. McGirt, was in the insurance and real estate business and his mother, Delia E. McGirt (maiden name Inman), was a registered nurse. He attended Duke University, graduating with an A.B in 1943. After college, Inman worked as a union organizer for tobacco workers in North Carolina before moving to New York City in the late 1950s. He served as the Vice-president of Free University of New York in the mid 1960s. He has worked as an editor and publisher of various literary journals and has had his work published in numerous anthologies and literary journals as well as in individual volumes. His weekly column, Conchsound in the Hills, was published in the Franklin, PA News-Herald in the 1960s. In addition to writing poetry, fiction, plays, and essays, Inman was also a prolific correspondent and diarist. He was active in numerous causes, including the War in Vietnam, the Civil Rights movement, gay rights, and various environmental issues. In 1956, he was questioned by the House Un-American Activities Committee as to his relationship with the Communist Party. His activism continued into the 1990s; he led writing workshops in an Arizona State Prison, as well as teaching writing to the homeless in transition.

From the guide to the Will Inman Papers, 1910-2009, (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)