Wendell Berry, writer, farmer, activist; dies at 92
By Karyn Czar
September 1, 2026 at 9:52 AM EDT
Wendell Berry, the acclaimed Kentucky writer, farmer, and activist known for pressing for responsible use of the land, died at his home in Port Royal on Monday.
Berry, a descendant of Kentucky farmers, wrote dozens of books on agriculture, community and environmental stewardship.
He was arrested in 2011 during a protest against mountaintop removal mining at then-Gov. Steve Beshear’s office. In 1979, he was arrested during a demonstration against a proposed nuclear power plant in Indiana.
Wendell Berry, Henry County, Kentucky, 1970s. (830x589, AR: 1.4091680814940577)
Berry received the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama in 2010.
Kentucky writer Silas House remembered Berry on social media as “generous,” “brilliant” and “a revolutionary.”
This story was produced with original reporting by the New York Times.
He was arrested in 2011 during a protest against mountaintop removal mining at then-Gov. Steve Beshear’s office. In 1979, he was arrested during a demonstration against a proposed nuclear power plant in Indiana.
Wendell Berry, Henry County, Kentucky, 1970s. (830x589, AR: 1.4091680814940577)
Berry received the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama in 2010.
Kentucky writer Silas House remembered Berry on social media as “generous,” “brilliant” and “a revolutionary.”
This story was produced with original reporting by the New York Times.