Dylan Thomas, the acclaimed Welsh poet and writer, was born on October 27, 1914, in Swansea, Wales. He was the son of David John Thomas, a grammar school teacher, and Florence Hannah Williams. Thomas grew up in Swansea, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Welsh landscape, which would later inspire much of his poetry.
Thomas began writing poetry at a young age and showed remarkable talent early on. He attended Swansea Grammar School where his father taught English, and it was here that his passion for literature flourished. His early influences included the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins and the works of D.H. Lawrence.
In 1931, Thomas left school to become a junior reporter for the South Wales Evening Post. However, his true calling was in poetry, and he soon began to gain recognition for his work. His first collection of poems, "Eighteen Poems," was published in 1934 when he was just 20 years old. This collection received critical acclaim and established Thomas as a rising literary star.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Thomas continued to write poetry and prose, publishing several collections including "Twenty-Five Poems" (1936) and "Deaths and Entrances" (1946). His poetry was known for its rich imagery, lyrical language, and exploration of themes such as love, death, and the natural world.
In addition to his poetry, Thomas was also a prolific writer of radio plays and scripts. One of his most famous works is the radio play "Under Milk Wood," a lyrical and humorous portrayal of life in a small Welsh village. First broadcast in 1954, "Under Milk Wood" remains one of Thomas's most celebrated works.
Despite his success as a writer, Thomas struggled with alcoholism throughout his life, which ultimately contributed to his premature death. On November 9, 1953, at the age of 39, Thomas collapsed and died in New York City while on a lecture tour of the United States. His death was attributed to pneumonia, exacerbated by his heavy drinking.
Dylan Thomas's legacy as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century endures to this day. His vivid imagery, musical language, and profound insights into the human condition continue to captivate readers and inspire writers around the world.
References:
- Ferris, P. (1999). Dylan Thomas: A Biography. Paragon House.
- Ackerman, J. (2014). Dylan Thomas: A Biography. University of Massachusetts Press.
- Maud, R. (2002). The Collected Poems of Dylan Thomas: The New Centenary Edition. New Directions.
- Thomas, D. (1936). Twenty-Five Poems. Dent.
- Thomas, D. (1946). Deaths and Entrances. J.M. Dent & Sons.