Sydney Lea

Sydney Lea is a Pulitzer finalist in poetry, founder of New England Review, Vermont Poet Laureate (2011-15), and recipient of his state’s highest artistic distinction, the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. He has published two novels (most recently, Now Look, 2024), seven volumes of personal essays (most recently, Such Dancing as We Can, 2024), and sixteen poetry collections (most recently, What Shines, 2023). His new and selected poems, Dancing in the Dark, is due in 2027.

Sydney is active both in literacy efforts at Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Inc. and in conservation efforts at Downeast Lakes Land Trust. He has taught at Yale University, Dartmouth College, Middlebury College, and Wesleyan University, as well as the Franklin College in Switzerland and the Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest.