Anthony Joseph is a poet, novelist, academic, and musician who has received significant recognition for his work.
Life and Career
Anthony Joseph was born on 12 November 1966, in Trinidad and Tobago. Joseph was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, and raised by his grandparents. He moved to the United Kingdom in 1989. He holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Goldsmiths College, University of London.
Joseph has made significant contributions to contemporary British literature. He has taught at various institutions including London Metropolitan University, University of Surrey Roehampton, South Thames College, and Birkbeck College.
He is the author of several poetry collections and a novel. His debut novel, “The African Origins of UFOs”, was published by Salt Publishing in November 2006.
Joseph also performs and records as a spoken-word vocalist. His debut album with The Spasm Band, “Leggo de Lion”, was released in April 2007.
Award and Legacy
His collection “Sonnets for Albert” won the prestigious 2022 T. S. Eliot Prize. The judges described his collection as a “luminous collection which celebrates humanity in all its contradictions and breathes new life into this enduring form”.
Joseph’s work continues to inspire readers and writers around the world. His exploration of identity and masculinity in “Sonnets for Albert” has been particularly impactful.
He is currently a lecturer in creative writing at King’s College London, where he influences the next generation of writers and thinkers.
He has also released eight critically acclaimed albums.
