Ted Hughes

Edward James Hughes (17 August 1930 - 28 October 1998) was a poet and children's writer, known as Ted Hughes. Critics routinely rank him as one of the best poets of his generation.

Ted Hughes was married from 1956 to 1963 to the American poet Sylvia Plath, who committed suicide in 1963 at the age of 30. His part in the relationship became controversial. Hughes himself never publicly entered the debate, but his last poetic work, Birthday Letters (1998), explored their complex relationship, and to many, put him in a significantly better light.
Hughes' first collection, Hawk in the Rain (1957) attracted considerable critical acclaim. In 1959 he won the Galbraith prize which brought $5000. His most significant work was perhaps Crow (1970).

In addition to poetry, Hughes wrote classical opera librettos and children's books. One of these, The Iron Man, was written to comfort his children after Sylvia Plath's suicide. Hughes was appointed as Poet Laureate in 1984 following the death of John Betjeman. Hughes served in this position until his death in 1998. He received the Order of Merit from the Queen just before he died. [Images kindly supplied by the Elmet Trust (http://www.theelmettrust.com/)