Snodgrass, W(illiam) D(e Witt) 1926–

Snodgrass is an American poet, critic, essayist, and translator. Although linked to the confessional school of poetry, Snodgrass prefers to view his work as a reaction against impersonal, intellectual poetry. His poetry, which is characterized by a straightforward poetic voice, is drawn from personal experience and frequently expresses anguish and despair. Snodgrass received the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry in 1960 for his first collection, Heart's Needle. (See also CLC, Vols. 2, 6, and Contemporary Authors, Vols. 1-4, rev. ed.)