Byron Herbert Reece

Description: Once one of the most iconic and popular poets to come from Georgia and the most famous poet to ever come from Union County

Born: September 14, 1917

Died: June 3, 1958

Birthplace: Union County, GA

Resting Place: Old Union Cemetery, Young Harris, GA

Occupation: Poet; Farmer; College Professor

Spouse(s): N/A

Children: N/A

Parents: Juan Wellborn Reece; Emma Lance Reece

Awards: 1952 and 1957 Guggenheim Fellowships for fiction winner; The Byron Herbert Reece Farm and Heritage Center opened in his honor; The Byron Herbert Reece Memorial Highway is named in his honor; The Byron Herbert Reece Walking Trail is named in his honor; 2001 Georgia Writers Hall of Fame Inductee

Facts of Interest: 1. He was a nominee for a Pulitzer Prize Award. 2. He won 2 Guggenheim awards. 3. He was a writer-in-residence at the University of California, Los Angeles. 4. In total, he wrote 4 volumes of ballad-styled poetry and 2 novels. 5. Today, The Byron Herbert Reece Society operates in his honor and memory from his childhood home.