Biography

Harry Griswold was educated in his hometown of Rochester, NY where he graduated from Monroe Community College and the University of Rochester. He trained in computer science and experimental psychology. He worked as a computer programmer and instructor at Xerox in Rochester, eventually moving to San Diego and a job at Computer Sciences Corporation in the early days of the Internet.

His interest in poetry goes back to community college days. The artist George McDade was teaching writing at the school and played recordings of Dylan Thomas and e.e. cummings that stuck with Harry. Interest blossomed during an extended period of study with Steve Kowit in San Diego.

Further work at Idyllwild’s Summer Poetry program included sessions with Billy Collins, Natasha Trethewey, Eloise Klein Healy, and others. This led to the MFA program at Oregon’s Pacific University and more layers of influence. The last and most lingering of these was Joseph Millar.

Two chapbooks, in 2002 and 2003, preceded Harry’s full-length Camera Obscura (Wordcraft of Oregon, 2007). A poem in the latter volume received a Pushcart prize nomination.

As a free-lance teacher, Harry now leads a series of poetry workshops. The spring 2008 semester marks his 13th consecutive term in Solana Beach, CA at a hilltop site with a fine view to the sea.

In photography, Harry’s most influential mentor has been Leland Foerster. Harry also plays oboe in a community orchestra in San Diego.

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