Louis Macneice

About

Irish poet and dramatist known for such poetry collections as Autumn Journal, The Earth Compels, and Prayers Before Birth. His popular radio plays include Persons from Porlock and Christopher Columbus.

Before Fame

His brother was born with Down's syndrome, and his mother suffered from depression and uterine cancer before dying of tuberculosis when he was seven years old.

Trivia

He wrote and produced radio programs for the BBC during the 1940s.

Family Life

He wed Mary Ezra in 1930, but she left him and their young son for another man. Later, MacNeice married Hedli Anderson, with whom he had a daughter.

Associated With

Out of the Picture, Macneice's 1937 play, was produced by the famous Group Theatre. The production included music by composer Benjamin Britten.