Born in 1937 in Chattanooga, Tennessee and educated at the University of North Carolina (BA, 1959; PhD, 1968) and at the University of California, Berkeley (MA, 1961), Coleman Barks has since 1977 collaborated with various scholars of the Persian language (most notably, John Moyne) to bring over into American free verse the poetry of the 13th Century mystic, Jelaluddin Rumi. This work has resulted in 19 volumes, including the bestselling “Essential Rumi” in 1995, two appearances on Bill Moyers' PBS specials, and inclusion in the prestigious “Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces.” The Rumi translations have sold over three-quarters of a million copies. It is claimed that over the last 10 years that Rumi has been the most-read poet in the United States.

Dr. Barks taught American Literature and Creative Writing at various universities for 34 years, and he has published six volumes of his own poetry. The University of Georgia Press will publish “Winter Sky: Poems 1968-2008” in September of 2008. In 2004, he received the Juliet Hollister Award for his work in the interfaith area. In March 2005, the U.S. State Dept. sent him to Afghanistan as the first visiting speaker there in 25 years. In May of 2006, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Tehran. He is now retired Professor Emeritus at the University of Georgia in Athens. He has two grown sons and four grandchildren, all of whom live near him in Athens, Georgia.