kids encyclopedia robot

Frank Lima (poet) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Frank Lima
Born 1939 (1939)
Died October 21, 2013(2013-10-21) (aged 73–74)
Occupation American poet

Frank Lima was an American poet who lived from 1939 to 2013. He was born in Spanish Harlem, a neighborhood in New York City, New York. He passed away on Long Island, New York. Frank Lima is best known for his connection to the New York School, a group of artists and writers who shared similar styles and ideas.

Frank Lima: Poet and Chef

Frank Lima had a fascinating life, combining his passion for poetry with a talent for cooking. He was not only a respected poet but also a skilled chef. His unique background gave his writing a special flavor.

Early Life and Education

Frank Lima was born in 1939. He grew up in Spanish Harlem, a vibrant part of New York City. Later in his life, he decided to further his education in poetry.

Studying Poetry

Lima attended Columbia University, a famous school in New York City. There, he earned his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. This is a special degree for people who want to become professional artists or writers. He learned from well-known poets like Kenneth Koch and Stanley Kunitz.

His Books and Poetry

Frank Lima published several books of his poems throughout his career. His first collection of poems was called Inventory, published in 1964. Other important books include Underground with the Oriole (1971) and Angel, New Poems (1976). Later, he released Inventory: New & Selected Poems (1997), which brought together new and older works. His final book was The Beatitudes (2000).

After he passed away, another collection of his poems was published. This book, called Incidents of Travel in Poetry: New and Selected Poems, came out in 2015 from City Lights.

A Chef in the White House

Besides being a poet, Frank Lima was also a very talented chef. He had classical training, meaning he learned traditional cooking methods. He even taught cooking at the New York Restaurant School.

One of the most interesting parts of his cooking career was working at the White House. He was an assistant chef there during the time John Fitzgerald Kennedy was president. This shows how skilled he was in the kitchen!

kids search engine
Frank Lima (poet) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.