David Harsent is an English poet, academic, and editor.
Life and Career
David Harsent was born on 9 December 1942 (age 81 years), in Devon, United Kingdom.
He worked in a bookshop and sent his poems to literary magazines, where he caught the attention of Ian Hamilton, the editor of Review. He became part of a circle of poets who promoted conciseness and clarity in verse.
He has published 12 collections of poetry, which have won several awards, including the T. S. Eliot Prize, the Forward Prize, and the Griffin International Poetry Prize. His poetry explores themes such as war, violence, desire, myth, and identity. He is also the founder and co-editor of Prac Crit, an online journal of poetry and criticism.
He has also collaborated with many composers, especially Sir Harrison Birtwistle, to write opera libretti and other words for music. His works have been performed at various venues, such as the Royal Opera House, Carnegie Hall, and the BBC. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a professor of creative writing at the University of Roehampton.
Award and Legacy
Harsent won the T.S. Eliot Prize twice, first in 2014 for his collection “Fire Songs” and then again in 2018 for “Salt.”
Harsent has been recognized by the Forward Poetry Prize several times, winning both the Forward Poetry Prize for Best Collection and the Forward Poetry Prize for Best Individual Poem.
In 2004, Harsent was awarded the Cholmondeley Award for Poetry by the Society of Authors, which recognizes outstanding achievement in poetry.
David Harsent’s legacy lies not only in his own poetry but also in his contributions to the literary world as a whole. He has influenced many poets and writers through his work, which often explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition with striking imagery and language.
Harsent has also made a significant impact as a teacher and mentor. As a professor of creative writing, he has shared his knowledge and expertise with aspiring writers, leaving a lasting impression on the next generation of poets.