Plumley, William

Biographical Note

William Crawford Plumley, a scholar of modern American poetry and a published author, was born in Hamlin, West Virginia. From 1980 on, he has performed academic duties as a professor of English at University of Charleston, the former Morris Harvey College, in Charleston, West Virginia. He received an A.B. from Marshall University (1963), M. Ed. from Kent State University (1967), M.A. from Marshall University (1971), and Ph.D. on Appalachian studies from Union Graduate School, Ohio (1977).

He has written poetry and edited anthologies and articles on folklore, poetry and fiction, mainly focusing on the Appalachian literature and culture. His first set of personal poetry Many Faces was published in 1969 by Morris Harvey Press, followed by Poems from the Hills, 1970 and Poems from the Hills, 1971 . He has also made guest appearances as the Appalachian scholar on TV produced by Public Broadcasting Company.

Mainly publishing in the 1970's, his latest literary activity includes a book production, consisting of criticism on, poetry dedicated to, and an interview with American poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti ( Lawrence Ferlinghetti :in Search of Eros, 1995). This project was inspired by the exhibition of Lawrence Ferlinghetti's drawings and his public reading produced by Plumley at the University of Charleston, West Virginia.

His literary interest also extends to collecting primary research material (manuscripts, letters, original art) and books by notable modern writers such as Patchen, Kerouac, Burroughs, Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti, and Bukowski.

He has been an active member on the board of directors for Appalachian Heritage Foundation, Inc., and Mountain State Press (1977-) and holds a membership in American Poetry Society.

From the guide to the William Plumley collection, 1942-1972, (Bulk 1956-1958), (University of California, Santa Cruz. University Library. Special Collections and Archives)