Profile of the Day: Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas

“Though lovers be lost love shall not; And death shall have no dominion.”

– Dylan Thomas (1914 – 1953)

100 years ago today, Welsh poet Dylan Thomas was born in Swansea, Wales. His father, David John Thomas, was a teacher and his mother, Florence Hannah, was a seamstress. He left school at the age of 16 to become a reporter for the South Wales Daily Post. A little over a year later, he quit his job and continued to work freelance while composing hundreds of poems in his famous notebooks.

In 1933, Thomas published his poem “And Death Shall Have No Dominion” in the New English Weekly, marking his first international publication. Thomas wrote hundreds of poems throughout his life, and published his most famous poem, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” in 1952. In addition to poetry, he found success writing short stories and scripts for film and radio, often performing them himself. His public readings won him great acclaim, and in the 1950s, Thomas’ reading tours in the U.S. not only brought him more fame, but helped cement his legendary status.

Sadly, during the last years of his life, his drinking and erratic behavior worsened. During his fourth trip to New York, Thomas collapsed after a long drinking binge and fell into a coma. He died on November 9, 1953 at the age of 39.

Today, Thomas is remembered as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.

Have you read the works of Dylan Thomas? What are your favorites?
 

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Image: Wikimedia Commons