George Oppen Memorial Lecture

The George Oppen Memorial Lecture was initiated in 1985, after the death of poet George Oppen (1908–1984), in order each year to explore the life, work, and legacy of Oppen and his contemporaries. Digital video is available for the most recent talks: by Roberto Tejada, Frances Richard, David Hobbs, Tyrone Williams, Erica Hunt, and Chris Nealon. Also featured here are four historic readings by Oppen for The Poetry Center, and Charles Reznikoff's 1974 reading, introduced by Oppen. Earlier (more)

Roberto Tejada, The George Oppen Memorial Lecture: December 12, 2015

The Poetry Center presents Roberto Tejada delivering the 31st annual George Oppen Memorial Lecture. Tejada focuses on the...

Date: 12/12/2015

Frances Richard, The George Oppen Memorial Lecture: December 17, 2016

The Poetry Center presents Frances Richard delivering the 32nd annual George Oppen Memorial Lecture, entitled "The...

Date: 12/17/2016

David Hobbs, The George Oppen Memorial Lecture: December 2, 2017

The Poetry Center presents the 33rd annual George Oppen Memorial Lecture featuring David B. Hobbs at the Unitarian...

Date: 12/02/2017

Tyrone Williams, The George Oppen Memorial Lecture: December 6, 2019

Tyrone Williams presents the 34th annual George Oppen Memorial Lecture, at the Unitarian Center, San Francisco. The...

Date: 2019-12-06

Erica Hunt, The George Oppen Memorial Lecture: December 12, 2020

The Poetry Center presents Erica Hunt, poet, essayist, scholar, and organizer, delivering the 35th annual George Oppen...

Date: 2020-12-12

Chris Nealon, The George Oppen Memorial Lecture: December 11, 2021

The Poetry Center presents poet and scholar Chris Nealon, delivering the 36th annual George Oppen Memorial...

Date: 2021-12-11

Charles Reznikoff and George Oppen: February 19, 1963

The Poetry Center presents Charles Reznikoff and George Oppen in an early reading from their respective books, By the...

Date: 02/19/1963

George Oppen: February 21, 1968

The Poetry Center presents George Oppen reading two major sequences from his 1968 book Of Being Numerous , for which he...

Date: 02/21/1968

George Oppen: October 29, 1969

The Poetry Center presents a return reading (following his early 1968 Poetry Center reading) by George Oppen, in honor of...

Date: 10/29/1969

Robert Duncan and George Oppen: February 22, 1973

The Poetry Center presents Robert Duncan and George Oppen, reading from their poetry, in the very first video...

Date: 1973-02-22

Charles Reznikoff: March 21, 1974

The Poetry Center presents Charles Reznikoff, reading his poetry before an audience at San Francisco State University. He...

Date: 1974-03-21