Clint Smith is an acclaimed American writer, poet, and scholar known for his powerful exploration of history, identity, and social justice. Born in 1988 in New Orleans, Smith’s journey as a writer was shaped by his experiences growing up in the South and his relocation to Houston following Hurricane Katrina.
Smith’s academic pursuits led him from Davidson College, where he earned a B.A. in English, to Harvard University, where he completed his Ph.D. His dedication to education is evident in his early career as a high school English teacher, during which he was named Teacher of the Year by the Maryland Humanities Council.
Smith’s literary debut, the poetry collection “Counting Descent” (2016), garnered critical acclaim and multiple awards. However, it was his 2021 nonfiction work, “How the Word Is Passed,” that catapulted him to national prominence. This profound examination of slavery’s legacy in America became a #1 New York Times bestseller and won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction.
As a staff writer for The Atlantic and contributor to The New Yorker, Smith continues to engage readers with his insightful commentary on contemporary issues. His writing style, which seamlessly blends historical research with personal narrative, has established him as a unique and essential voice in modern literature.
Smith’s work is characterized by its universal appeal and authenticity, tackling complex themes with both scholarly rigor and poetic grace. As he continues to write and inspire, Clint Smith stands as a testament to the power of words to educate, challenge, and transform our understanding of the world.
Non-Fiction Books In Order of Publication
| How the Word Is Passed | (2021) |
Poetry Books in Order of Publication
| Counting Descent | (2020) |
| Above Ground | (2023) |