Literary Society To Celebrate Creekmore’s 119th Birthday

The Hubert Creekmore Literary Society (HCLS) will celebrate the 119th birthday of Water Valley poet, writer and editor Hubert Creekmore on Friday, Jan. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at Bozarts Gallery.
Mississippi writer Hubert Creekmore was born in 1907 in Water Valley. Some believe he was born at the brick hospital next door to the home his father built in the early 1900s at 114 Panola Street, where a historical marker was erected in 2015.

“Over his lifetime, Creekmore earned praise for his literary successes,” said Jaime Harker, University of Mississippi professor of English, Violet Valley Bookstore owner and HCLS member. “He was especially well regarded in New York City, where he was a poet, translator, novelist and literary agent who moved in elite literary circles.”
Creekmore’s work also included roles as a playwright, critic, editor and publisher. In addition, he was an accomplished musician—a pianist and composer—and a lifelong gardener.

In the mid-1920s, the Creekmore family lived in Jackson’s Belhaven neighborhood, where Creekmore’s sister fell in love with the boy next door, who happened to be the brother of Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Eudora Welty. Through their siblings’ marriage, Creekmore and Welty formed a lifelong friendship.

The celebration will feature readings of Creekmore’s work, along with cake, ice cream and champagne.
The public is invited to attend and help celebrate an important piece of Water Valley’s literary history.
For more information, visit creekmorelit.com.