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The Birth of Billy Collins
Poet Billy Collins was born March 22, 1941, in New York City to parents William and Katherine Collins -
Degrees
He was educated at College of the Holy Cross, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1963 and at the University of California received his M.A. and Ph.D in English from the University of California, Riverside. -
The Mid-Atlantic Review
In 1975 Collins founded The Mid Atlantic Review with his good friend and co-editor, Michael Shannon. -
Poet of the Year
The magazine "Poetry" selected Billy Collins as "Poet of the Year" in 1994. -
"The Best Cigarette"
In 1997, Collins recorded "The Best Cigarette", a collection of 34 of his poems, that would become a bestseller. -
U.S. Poet Laureate
Collins was named U.S. Poet Laureate in 2001 and held the title until 2003