Read About Poet Maya Angelou's Last Visit to UC

World-renowned poet, author, actress and civil rights activist Maya Angelou has died. The news comes in an announcement from

Wake Forest University,

where Angelou has served as Reynolds Professor of American Studies since 1982. She was 86 years old.

Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary African-American literature. She authored 12 best-selling books and numerous magazine articles, earning nominations for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. She was a poet, historian, author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director.

As a poet, Angelou was among the first African-American women to be named on the best-seller lists with her autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” published in 1970. In 1993, Angelou became the second poet in U.S. history to have the honor of writing and reciting her original poem, “On the Pulse of Morning,” at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton. The occasion led to a Grammy Award for best spoken word.

Her last visit to UC was at Fifth Third Arena in 2006, when she encouraged students to put poetry and romance into their lives.

“I would encourage you to go to your librarian tomorrow morning. Just say, ‘Last night, Miss Angelou talked about African-American poets and I think I need to know them. Will you help me?’ When the shock is over, the librarian will stop at nothing to satisfy your request,” said Angelou at the 2006 appearance.

Thousands of people from the UC and Cincinnati community attended that event.

Angelou also visited UC in 1996, when she was keynote speaker at UC’s annual spring Worldfest events that celebrate global study, research and the representation of UC’s many cultures on campus.