Dylan Thomas

Dylan Marlais Thomas (27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953) is a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems "Do not go gentle into that good night" and "And death shall have no dominion", the "play for voices", Under Milk Wood, and stories and radio broadcasts such as A Child's Christmas in Wales and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog.

He becomes popular in his lifetime, and remains so after his death, partly because of his larger than life character and his reputation for drinking to excess.

Thomas was born in Swansea, Wales, in 1914.

An undistinguished student, he leaves school at 16, becoming a journalist for a short time.

Although many of his works appear in print while he is still a teenager, it is the publication of "Light breaks where no sun shines", in 1934, that catches the attention of the literary world.

While living in London, Thomas meets Caitlin Macnamara, whom he marries in 1937.

Their relationship is defined by alcoholism and is mutually destructive.

In the early part of his marriage, Thomas and his family live hand-to-mouth, settling in the Welsh fishing village of Laugharne.

Although Thomas is appreciated as a popular poet in his lifetime, he finds earning a living as a writer difficult, which results in him augmenting his income with reading tours and broadcasts.

His radio recordings for the BBC during the latter half of the 1940s bring him a level of celebrity.

In the 1950s, Thomas travels to America, where his readings bring him a level of fame, though his erratic behavior and drinking worsens.

His time in America cements Thomas' legend, where he records to vinyl works such as A Child's Christmas in Wales.

During his fourth trip to New York in 1953, Thomas becomes gravely ill and falls into a coma from which he does not recover.

Thomas dies on November 9, 1953 and his body is returned to Wales where he is buried at the village churchyard in Laugharne.

Although writing exclusively in the English language, Thomas has been acknowledged as one of the most important Welsh poets of the 20th century.

Noted for his original, rhythmic and ingenious use of words and imagery, Thomas' position as one of the great modern poets has been much discussed, though this has not tarnished his popularity amongst the general public, who found his work accessible.

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