David Lenson (1945–2020) was a poet, essayist, musician, and legendary professor. His father Michael Lenson was the New Jersey director of the Works Progress Administration murals project. David went to Princeton University and completed three degrees there, including his doctorate in Comparative Literature. He was the author of two books of poetry as well as three scholarly works, and best known for his last, On Drugs. He was head editor of the Massachusetts Review for eight years, host of the magazine's radio show on WMUA, an inspiration and mentor to several generations of UMass students, and an accomplished sax player, having performed with many of the greats, including Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, and locally with the Reprobate Blues Band.