Robert M. Shelby was an American poet (November 3, 1935 Joplin, Missouri - March 15, 2016, Benicia, California).[1][2] He served as the poet laureate of Benicia, California from 2008 to 2010.[3][4]
Born in Joplin, Missouri, Shelby grew up in Los Angeles, California.[5] After serving in the United States Naval Reserve, he attended the University of California, Berkeley,[5] and moved to Benicia in 2002.[5] He published many poetry books including Leaves Away, Quick Americana, The Thousand Story Pagoda, Woman in a White Cap,[4] Flying Apples, Falling Parasols, Music From The Bones, Quick Orientalia, and Raining Down Dogs, Bouncing Up Cats, And A Few Birds [3]