Derek Walcott

Biographical Information

Derek Alton Walcott (born January 23, 1930) is a poet, playwright, writer and visual artist who was in the vanguard of the post-colonial school of English language writing.

Related Topics:
January 23 - 1930 - English language

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He was born in Castries, St. Lucia.

Related Topics:
Castries - St. Lucia

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His work, which developed independently of the schools of magic realism emerging in both South America and Europe at around the time of his birth, is intensely related to the symbolism of myth and its relationship to culture. He is best known for his epic poem Omeros, a reworking of Homeric story and tradition into a journey around the Caribbean and beyond to the American West and London.

Related Topics:
Magic realism - South America - Europe - Myth - Culture - Homer - Caribbean

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Walcott founded the Trinidad Theatre Workshop in 1959, which has produced his plays (and others) since that time, and remains active with its Board of Directors.

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In 1997, he collaborated with Paul Simon on the Broadway musical The Capeman.

Related Topics:
Paul Simon - The Capeman

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He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992 .

Related Topics:
Nobel Prize for Literature - 1992

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