Dylan Thomas

Dylan Marlais Thomas, (Swansea, October 27 1914 – November 9 1953 in New York City) was a Welsh poet and writer. He is widely considered to be among the greatest poets of the 20th century; his most famous poems include "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" and "And Death Shall Have No Dominion."

Biography

Dylan Thomas was born in the Uplands area of Swansea, Wales. His father David, who was a writer and possessed a degree in English, brought his son up to speak English rather than Dylan's mother's native Welsh. He attended the boys-only Swansea Grammar School, (later known as Bishop Gore Grammar School, now reincarnated as Bishop Gore Comprehensive School), at which his father taught English Literature. It was in the school's magazine that the young Dylan saw his first poem published. Dylan Thomas's middle name, "Marlais", came from the bardic name of his uncle, the Unitarian minister, Gwilym Marles (whose real name was William Thomas).

Related Topics:
Uplands - Swansea - Wales - English - Welsh - Bardic name - Unitarian

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Thomas's childhood was spent largely in Swansea, with regular summer trips to visit his mother's family on their Carmarthen farm. These rural sojourns, and their contrast with the town life of Swansea, would inform much of his work, notably many short stories and radio essays and the poem "Fern Hill".

Related Topics:
Carmarthen - Fern Hill

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Dylan wrote half his poems and many short stories when he lived at no 5 Cwmdonkin Drive—"And death shall have no dominion" is one of the best known works written at this address. By the time he left the family home in 1934 he was one of the most exciting young poets writing in the English language.

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He collapsed at the Hotel Chelsea after drinking heavily while in New York City on a promotional tour and later died at St Vincent's hospital. The primary cause of his death is recorded as pneumonia, with pressure on the brain and a fatty liver given as contributing factors. His last words were: "I've had 18 straight whiskeys, I think that's a record." Following his death, his body was brought back to Wales for burial in the village churchyard at Laugharne, where he had enjoyed his happiest days. In 1994, his widow, Caitlin, was buried alongside him. Their former home, the Boat House, Laugharne, is now a memorial to Dylan.

Related Topics:
Hotel Chelsea - New York City - Laugharne - 1994 - Boat House, Laugharne

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