Tracy K. Smith is an American poet and writer, known for her profound and accessible poetry. She served as the United States Poet Laureate from 2017 to 2019, a role that highlights her significant contributions to contemporary literature. Smith's work often explores themes of identity, history, and the human experience, making her a prominent voice in modern poetry. Born on April 16, 1972, in Falmouth, Massachusetts, Smith earned her MFA from Columbia University and has published several acclaimed poetry collections, including Life on Mars, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2012. In addition to her poetry, she has written essays and teaches creative writing at Princeton University.