Will Inman Correspondence

Will Inman was born as William Archibald McGirt in Wilmington, North Carolina on May 3, 1923. He grew up in a working-class family and attended New Hanover County public schools throughout his education as a child. In 1943, Inman graduated from Duke University with a B.A. in English and later worked in a shipyard and fish market in Winston Salem. Inman joined the Communist Party in 1947. He was called to appear before the House Committee of Unamerican Activities in 1956. Inman would withdraw from the party shortly after.

In 1953, he changed his name to Inman (his mother's maiden name) to embody the "Will In Man" in his poetry. He would leaglly change his name in 1973. Inman moved to New York City to become fully involved with his writing. Inman was influenced by the works of Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Walt Whitman. During his time in New York City, Inman participated in poetry readings and clubs, which led him to teach a seminar at the Free University of New York. Starting in 1967, Inman taught poetry courses at the American University in Washington D.C. and Montgomery College in Maryland. He used his techniques from his Free University of New York seminars in these courses.

Inman had a son, William Stanley, with Violet Stanely. His son lived in Albany, New York with his mother and would visit Inman in the city. In 1969, Inman married Barbara Ann Sherman. Her poor health would move the couple to Tuscon, Arizona in 1973. Inman and Sherman got divorced in 1975, and he would remain in Arizona for the rest of his life and continue to publish his poetry there. Inman also participated in hosting poetry workshops in prisons and other charity work. On October 3, 2009, Inman passed away from Parkinson's Disease. He is best remembered for his poetry and activism.