Lily Peter (born 2 June 1891 – 26 July 1991) was an American teacher, poet, musician, philanthropist and a farmer, on October 6, 1971, announced as Arkansas's third poet laureate by the governor Dale Bumpers[1]. Born in Big Cypress Bayou in Monroe County[2], remained in her hometown where she managed a family farm she was born in. In 1978 Peter funded the conversion of the New Chapel into a recital hall which later was named in her honour (Peter Hall)[1]. She got a degree in English from Columbia University and a master’s degree from Vanderbilt. Peter also studied Violin at Juilliard.
Life and Education edit
Lily Peter was born on her family’s farm as the oldest child of William Oliver Peter and Florence Mobrey Peter [1]. Five of her siblings died in childhood. At 16, Lily Peter lost her father, therefore she became a teacher after high school in order to support her family. Thanks to her sacrifice, her siblings could continue their education. Later in life they repaid Lily Peter and raised money for her education. She got a degree in English from Columbia University and a master’s degree from Vanderbilt. Peter also studied Violin at Juilliard. Furthermore, she wrote 4 books of poetry, The Green Linen of Summer, The Great Riding: The Story of De Soto in America[3], In the Beginning: Myths of the Western World, and The Sea Dream of the Mississippi[1]. Furthermore, Lily Peter was announced as Arkansas's third poet laureate by governor Dale Bumpres[1].
Lily Peter was also interested in the medical field. As she was suffering from pernicious anaemia, and was unable to be healed using any medicines, she discovered that eating peanut butter cured her. This caught the attention of a medical school at Vanderbilt, where the incoming students interviewed her on the unconventional healing.
After raising enough money Lily Peter and her brother bought a second farm[4]. After his passing, she took over the farm and became a millionaire through her work on both facilities. She never married[5] and passed away at 100 years at home. Later she was buried in Turner Cemetery[1].
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f "Encyclopedia of Arkansas". Encyclopedia of Arkansas.
- ^ Luster, Deborah. Lost Roads Project, a Walk in Book of Ar (p). University of Arkansas Press. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-61075-252-7.
- ^ Guilds, John Caldwell (1 January 1999). Arkansas, Arkansas: Writers and Writings from the Delta to the Ozarks, 1541-1969. University of Arkansas Press. pp. 31–45. ISBN 978-1-55728-523-2.
- ^ Brantley, Max (28 July 2021). "Dicamba intrudes on the grave of an Arkansas legend, Lily Peter". Arkansas Times.
- ^ Williams, Nancy A.; Whayne, Jeannie M. (1 January 2000). Arkansas Biography: A Collection of Notable Lives. University of Arkansas Press. p. 223. ISBN 978-1-55728-588-1.