Lizzy McDaniel, exceptionally gifted poet, scholar, and French translator, passed away on June 19, 2018 at the age of 35, after a battle with antibody-negative autoimmune encephalitis, a rare form of the disease. Lizzy was an extraordinary human being whose grace, wit, and original poetic practice changed all those who came into contact with her.

Lizzy was born at the Bethesda Naval Hospital, Maryland and grew up in South Carolina. She lived for many years in New York City, where she received her Bachelor’s degree and MFA in creative writing from The New School.  In addition to being a brilliant poet, Lizzy was a singer of opera. Her knowledge of philosophy, art, and music was endlessly rich. With great sensitivity and care, she gathered history’s secrets, often weaving them into her poems. Her unique poetic voice moves with agility between the fiery and the delicate, boldness and nuance. In her poems, interiority opens onto the world, and so transforms.

Lizzy is survived by her sister, Kate McDaniel, her mother Jean Fowler, her stepfather Tom Fowler and many loving friends. We honor her and remember her with love.