14 Facts About Al Young

Albert James Young was an American poet, novelist, essayist, screenwriter, and professor.

Al Young was named Poet Laureate of California by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from 2005 to 2008.

Al Young attended the "Kingston School for Colored", a segregated school in the South.

Al Young graduated in 1957 from Central High School in Detroit.

Al Young met classmate Janet Coleman in Michigan, whom he later co-authored work with in 1989.

Al Young graduated with honors in 1969 from University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Spanish.

Al Young taught poetry, fiction writing and American literature at UC Berkeley; University of California, Santa Cruz from 1983 until the early 1990s; University of California, Davis; Bowling Green State University; Foothill College; the Colorado College; Rice University; the University of Washington; the University of Michigan; and the University of Arkansas.

Al Young wrote linear notes for George Benson's Breezin' album.

Al Young taught at Charles University in the Czech Republic under the auspices of the Prague Summer Programs.

In 1974, Al Young was awarded a Guggenheim fellowship in fiction.

Al Young was awarded a Fulbright fellowship, two Puschart prizes, the PEN-USA Award, multiple National Endowment for the Arts fellowships, and a Wallace Stegner fellowship.

Al Young's remarkable talent and sense of mission to bring poetry into the lives of Californians is an inspiration.

Al Young was married to technical writer and editor Arline June Young from 1963 until her death in 2016.

Al Young died of complications of the stroke on April 17,2021, in Concord, California, aged 81.