The 19th Poet Laureate of the United States will return to her Cornish roots when she visits the county to perform and discuss her work.

Pulitzer Prize winning Natasha Trethewey, whose father Eric was a Canadian of Cornish descent, will perform a public lecture at the University of Exeter’s Penryn campus and will also give a reading of her work at Falmouth Art Gallery.

Dr Natalie Pollard, lecturer in modernist and contemporary literature, who is organising the visit, said: “The themes in Natasha Trethewey’s poetry are at the heart of global politics today, and this is a wonderful chance to hear this work read by the poet herself.

“I am personally inspired by Natasha’s work. She has a really unique voice in contemporary literature. Her writing speaks to some of the most pressing social realities both in America and globally. It's poetry that addresses difficult personal and public issues, such as individual and shared identity, collective memory and the struggle for equality and justice."

Natasha will be delivering a poetry reading, followed by a Q&A session and wine reception at Falmouth Art Gallery on Wednesday, March 8, from 6–7.30pm, and a public lecture the next day from 5.30–7.30pm at the University of Exeter’s, Penryn Campus. Both events are free, but places are limited so booking is advisable through eventbrite.co.uk.