[4] Shapiro grew up in Newark and attended its Weequahic High School before matriculating (after deferring the early admission secured by mentor Kenneth Koch for a year and a half to focus on his musical and literary projects) at nearby Columbia University, from which he received a B.A.

[5] From 1968 to 1970, he completed a second undergraduate degree on Columbia's Kellett Fellowship at Clare College, Cambridge, from which he ultimately held the Oxbridge M.A.

In addition, he maintained his ties to the literary community by serving as a writer-in-residence and adjunct professor at Cooper Union for many years.

[9][10] Notably (and in contrast to other protesters), his ensuing suspension did not affect his academic standing or subsequent receipt of one of Columbia College's most selective fellowships, although Shapiro never commented publicly on his treatment by University officials.

He translated Rafael Alberti’s poems on Pablo Picasso, and the writings of the Sonia and Robert Delaunay.