Ed Barrett was born in Brooklyn, New York, and educated at Brooklyn College and Harvard University where he studied English Literature, Greek and Irish. His family home is in Dunquin, County Kerry, Ireland. He resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts where he is Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at MIT, where his research, teaching and publications focus on poetry and digital media. His poetry books: include The Sinatra n (2016); Toward Blue Peninsula (2014); Down New Utrecht Avenue (2011); Bosston (2008); Kevin White (2007); Or Current Resident (2005); Rub Out —Three Verse Novels (2003); Sheepshead Bay (2001); Breezy Point (2000); Practical Lullabies for Joe (1999); Common Preludes (1994); The Leaves Are Something This Year(1992); Theory of Transportation (1990); and 7x3 (1987). Other work include Antigone (translated from the Greek; produced Off-Broadway, 1982) and an opera libretto, Shaman (text translated from Navajo; premier, Manhattan Chamber Opera Company, NYC 1987). .

Portrait of Ed Barrett drawn by his daughter, Ciara.