William Meredith (1918-2007) Poet, pilot, professor, arborist, William Meredith’s life and work has been called “one of our great and lucky inheritances,” an American spirit of great stature and distinction. US Poet Laureate, winner of every major US award for poetry including the Pulitzer Prize, a naval aviator in WWII and Korea, beloved teacher and friend, his is a life of courage, civility and artistic achievement the foundation named for him wishes never to forget.