Hilary Tham (August 20, 1946 – June 24, 2005), also known as Hilary Tham Goldberg,[1] was a Malaysian-born American poet. Tham studied English literature in Malaysia before marrying an American Peace Corps worker. She then converted to Judaism and immigrated to the U.S. Tham published many books of poetry and was editor-in-chief for the nonprofit poetry publishing house, Word Works.[2]
Tham reflected upon both Asian and American culture in her work.[3] She has been categorized as a "Chinese-Malaysian writer with Judaic influences."[1] Two of her books have appeared in the curriculum of the University of Pittsburgh.[1]
Legacy
In 2005, Word Works renamed their Capital Collection the Hilary Tham Capital Collection in her honor.[4]
Awards and honors
Tham's collection of poems, Bad Names for Women, won second prize in the 1988 Virginia Poetry Prizes and the 1990 Paterson Poetry Prize. Tin Mines and Concubines received the Washington Writers Publishing House Prize.