Natasha Trethewey is an American poet and author, born on April 26, 1966, in Gulfport, Mississippi. She served as the United States Poet Laureate from 2012 to 2014 and is known for her exploration of themes such as race, memory, and history in her work. Trethewey's poetry often reflects her experiences as a biracial woman in the American South. She has published several acclaimed collections, including Native Guard, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2007. Trethewey's writing is celebrated for its lyrical quality and deep emotional resonance, making her a significant voice in contemporary literature.