Margaret A. Brucia Reads from May Swenson Biography

On November 12, 2025, Margaret A. Brucia, Fulbright scholar, National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship recipient, and American Academy in Rome Fellow came to USU to read from her book The Key to Everything: May Swenson, A Writer’s Life. 

May Swenson graduated from USU in 1934 and moved to New York City to make a life for herself as a poet. She continued to publish and receive awards for her poetry, taught at various universities, and served as the chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. 

Margaret’s book, published earlier this year in July by Princeton University Press, is a literary biography of Swenson that draws from her unpublished diaries and letters to become the most intimate and detailed document of her life. 

“Brucia delighted the audience by reading diary entries, letters, and oral histories drawn from Swenson’s life. Beyond sharing her thoughts on Swenson’s early years growing up in Cache Valley, Brucia talked about Swenson’s move to New York City and her emergence as a deeply devoted, fiercely independent artist,” reflects Associate Professor Ben Gunsberg, who organized the reading. “Those in attendance were treated to a glimpse of a brilliant, private, funny, and inspiring writer whose artistic achievements were shaped, in part, by the USU English Department.”

English Department student Indigo Aves attended the event and noted how the atmosphere of the reading was inspiring. “It was really special to be together with such a variety of people who all share a care of May Swenson’s life and her work,” Indigo says. “Hearing Margaret talk about her research and read sections left us with moments to sympathize with, laugh at, and be in awe of.”