Marvin Bell

Marvin Bell (August 3, 1937 – December 14, 2020) was an American poet and teacher. He was the first Poet Laureate of Iowa and author of over 20 books of poetry. Born in Center Moriches, Long Island, Bell served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1965 as a First Lieutenant and was a licensed amateur radio operator. He earned his bachelor's degree from Alfred University, his master's degree from the University of Chicago, and an MFA from the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. Bell's notable works include The Book of the Dead Man, Ardor: The Book of the Dead Man, Vol. 2, Nightworks: Poems 1962–2000, Mars Being Red, and Vertigo: The Living Dead Man Poems.