The Illinois State Historical Society is raising money to commemorate the 100th birthday of Robert Fitzgerald, a Springfield native who became a notable poet, editor and translator.

Fitzgerald, who died in 1985, worked with Flannery O’Connor, James Agee and William Maxwell. His translations of the “Iliad,” “Odyssey” and “Aeneid” remain standard reference works. He was Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory at Harvard and consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress, a position now equivalent to National Poet Laureate.

Organizers plan to commemorate the birthday Oct. 12 by dedicating an ISHS marker at the site of Fitzgerald’s boyhood home, 215 E. Jackson St.

Contributions can be sent to: Robert Stuart Fitzgerald historical marker, Illinois State Historical Society, POB 1800, Springfield IL 62705-1800. Checks should be made out to the historical society.

via Donations for Fitzgerald celebration being taken – Springfield, IL – The State Journal-Register.