Born in 1937 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and educated at the University of North Carolina (BA 1959; PhD 1968) and at the University of California, Berkley (MA 1961), Coleman Barks has since 1977 collaborated with various scholars of the Persian language (most notably, John Moyne) to bring over into America free verse the poetry of the 13th Century mystic, Jelaluddin Rumi.  This work has resulted in nineteen volumes, including the bestselling Essential Rumi in 1995, two appearances on Bill Moyers' PBS specials, and inclusion in the prestigious Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces.  The Rumi translations have sold over three-quarters of a million copies.  It is claimed over the last ten years that Rumi has been the most read poet in America.

Dr. Barks taught American Literature and Creative Writing at various universities for thirty-four years, and he has published six volumes of his own poetry.  The University of Georgia Press will publish WINTER SKY:  Poems 1968-2008 in September 2008.  In 2004 he received the Juliet Hollister Award for his work in the inter-faith area.  In March 2005  the U.S. State Department sent him to Afghanistan as the first visiting speaker there in twenty-five years.  In May 2006 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Tehran.  He is now retired Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia in Athens.  He has two grown sons and four grandchildren, all of whom live near him in Athens, Georgia.

Website: http://www.colemanbarks.com