David Ferry

About the Author

David Ferry is a distinguished American poet, translator, and professor emeritus of English at Wellesley College, where he taught for over three decades. Born in 1924, Ferry's literary career spans poetry, criticism, and acclaimed translations that bridge ancient texts with contemporary sensibilities. His meticulous attention to language and rhythm has earned him prestigious awards, including the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Ferry's work often explores themes of mortality, history, and the human condition, drawing from classical sources to illuminate the eternal. Renowned for his translation of the Epic of Gilgamesh, he continues to influence generations of readers and writers with his profound, elegant voice in modern literature.