Joseph Awad (May 17, 1929 — July 17, 2009) is the author of six books of poems, including Late Into the Night (Prospero’s World Press, 2010), The Big Bang (Poet’s Press, 1999), and The Neon Distances (Golden Quill Press, 1980). He was Poet Laureate of Virginia from 1998 to 2000. Born in PA, he moved to DC in 1939 when his father opened a barber shop in the Mayflower Hotel. He was educated at Georgetown University and George Washington University, and worked for the Reynolds Metals Company from 1957 to 1993, retiring as executive vice president of public relations. Awad served as president of the Poetry Society of Virginia, and on the Board of Directors for the New Virginia Review and the Friends of the Richmond Library.
