James Dickey (1923-1997) was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and attended Vanderbilt University.  After the publication of his first book, Into the Stone, he began teaching and became poet-in-residence at the University of South Carolina.  Dickey's third poetry volume, Buckdancer's Choice, won the National Book Award. He served as poetry consultant to the Library of Congress and read his poem "The Strength of Fields" at President Carter's inauguration. The Hollywood film of his novel Deliverance in 1970 brought Dickey fame not normally enjoyed by poets.