Armitage was born and grew up in West Yorkshire. A former probation officer, he is the recipient of numerous prizes and awards, including the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry. He has published over a dozen poetry collections, including Magnetic Field, and the acclaimed medieval translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which has sold over 100,000 copies.
‘His verse is immediate, entertaining, engaged with the world.’
– Independent on Sunday
Armitage also writes, records and performs with the band LYR and has received an Ivor Novello Award for his song writing. His recent book Never Good with Horses features his song lyrics for the first time and celebrates his ear for the music of language. Blossomise, his new poetry collection, is a Sunday Times bestseller. He is also the author of two novels and three non-fiction bestsellers: All Points North, Walking Home and Walking Away. A regular broadcaster, Armitage presented the popular BBC Radio 4 series The Poet Laureate has Gone to his Shed. He also contributes to Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour (BBC Radio 6 Music).
Armitage is Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds. A Vertical Art brings together the vibrant and engaging lectures from his tenure as Oxford Professor of Poetry (2015-2019). He is the UK Poet Laureate.
‘[His] caustic readings work splendidly, particularly Simon Armitage’s exceptionally lovely “Zodiac T-Shirt”.’
– Independent on the launch of Beck’s Song Reader
Find out more here – www.simonarmitage.com
Age advisory 11+