Simon Armitage

About

British poet, novelist, and dramatist who became known for The Dead Sea Poems and Book of Matches. His prose works include The White Stuff and Little Green Man.

Before Fame

He studied geography and psychology at both Portsmouth Polytechnic and Manchester University. He published his debut poetry collection, Zoom!, in 1989.

Trivia

His translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was printed in the Norton Anthology's Ninth Edition.

Family Life

Before becoming a full-time poet, he followed his father's example by working as a probation officer. He and his wife, radio producer Sue Roberts, have a daughter named Emmeline.

Associated With

Two of his poetry collections -- Tyrannosaurus Rex Versus The Corduroy Kid and The Dead Sea Poems -- were shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize.