Richard Blanco Books in Order

Richard Blanco is a celebrated poet and writer, born in Madrid to a Cuban-exile family who immigrated to the U.S. as infants. Raised and educated in Miami, he pursued dual passions in civil engineering and creative writing, earning a B.S. and a M.F.A. from Florida International University. Blanco's groundbreaking poetry career took a historic turn in 2013, when he became the fifth inaugural poet of the United States, delivering the original poem One Today at Barack Obama's inauguration. This milestone marked a record-breaking achievement, as he became the youngest, first Latino, immigrant, and openly gay poet to hold the honor. Continuing to connect communities through his work, Blanco has written and performed occasional poems for various organizations, including Freedom to Marry, the Tech Awards, and the Fragrance Awards. His poignant poem Boston Strong, written in response to the Boston Marathon bombings, was performed at the Boston Garden Benefit Concert and a Red Sox game at Fenway, and later released as a limited edition chapbook to support those affected. Blanco's published works include City of a Hundred Fires, Directions to the Beach of the Dead, Looking for the Gulf Motel, One Today, Boston Strong, and For All of Us, One Today: An Inaugural Poet’s Journey. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including an honorary degree from Tufts University.