FRSL
The Royal Society of Literature (RSL) is a learned society founded in 1820 by George IV of the United Kingdom, King George IV to "reward literary merit and excite literary talent". A charity that represents the voice of literature in the UK, the ...
(born 1963) is a British poet.
He has published eight collections of poetry, all with
Cape
A cape is a clothing accessory or a sleeveless outer garment of any length that hangs loosely and connects either at the neck or shoulders. They usually cover the back, shoulders, and arms. They come in a variety of styles and have been used th ...
Arts Council
An arts council is a government or private non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts; mainly by funding local artists, awarding prizes, and organizing arts events. They often operate at arms-length from the government to prevent pol ...
and
Society of Authors
The Society of Authors (SoA) is a United Kingdom trade union for professional writers, illustrators and literary translators, founded in 1884 to protect the rights and further the interests of authors. Membership of the society is open to "anyon ...
Griffin Poetry Prize
The Griffin Poetry Prize is a Canadian poetry award. It was founded in 2000 by businessman and philanthropist Scott Griffin.
Before 2022, two separate awards went to one Canadian and one international poet who writes in the English language. I ...
and the Ondaatje Prize. He has also written novels, libretti and texts for oratorios and song cycles. He regularly writes and presents documentaries and dramas for broadcasting and is Professor of Poetry at
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University is located in the centre of Manchester, England. The university has 40,000 students and over 4,000 members of staff. It is home to four faculties (Arts and Humanities, Business and Law, Health and Education ...
.
Life and career
Michael Symmons Roberts was born in Preston, Lancashire, and spent his childhood in Lancashire before moving south with his family to Newbury in Berkshire in the early '70s. He went to comprehensive school in Newbury, then to Regent's Park College, Oxford to read Philosophy and Theology. After graduating, he trained as a newspaper journalist before joining the
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
in Cardiff as a radio producer in 1989. He moved with the BBC to London, then to Manchester, initially in radio, then as a documentary filmmaker. His last job at the corporation was as Executive Producer and Head of Development for BBC Religion and Ethics, before he left the BBC to focus on writing.
Symmons Roberts' family was passively secular, but in his early teens he became a thoroughgoing atheist. When he gained a place at Oxford, this led him to change his course to Theology and philosophy, and his college to a Christian one, simply so that he could talk believers out of their faith. But things did not go according to plan: "As university went on I got deeply into philosophy — and the philosophy completely undermined my atheism, by making me realize that there was no overarching objectivity, no Dawkinsian bedrock of common sense if you strip everything away. I realized that atheism was just as culturally conditioned as being a Catholic."Cullen, Miguel (25 June 2010) "Michael Symmons Roberts"
The Oxford way of teaching, with its deconstructing, analytical approach, proved fatal, he says, to his assumption as "a naively dogmatic young atheist ... that atheism is exactly the same as 'common sense' or objectivity. I'm not saying that in psychological terms we can't be objective. I just mean that there ''is'' no framework of thought that can be completely objective. I have exactly the same problem with unquestioning religious dogmatism."
A convert to
Roman Catholicism
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
, Symmons Roberts has been described by Jeanette Winterson as "a religious poet for a secular age", and by Les Murray as "a poet for the new chastened, unenforcing age of faith that has just dawned". Miguel Cullen described his " millimetric adjective, the air-tight, wool-swaddled image, and that child's forensic perception, (that) he never grew out of". Alan Brownjohn wrote that his "religious poems ... seem designed for an age of doubt and
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid (; DNA) is a polymer composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix. The polymer carries genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction of al ...
". Although rooted in the English lyric tradition, his work draws on the language of science (especially genetics and genomics), theology and philosophy.
Griffin Poetry Prize
The Griffin Poetry Prize is a Canadian poetry award. It was founded in 2000 by businessman and philanthropist Scott Griffin.
Before 2022, two separate awards went to one Canadian and one international poet who writes in the English language. I ...
. He had previously received the Society of Authors' Gregory Award for British poets under 30 and the K Blundell Trust Award, and was shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize for his 2001 collection ''Burning Babylon''. In 2007 he received a major Arts Council Writers Award. In 2012 he was elected a Fellow of the English Association, for services to the language arts. In 2014 he was elected a Fellow of the
Royal Society of Literature
The Royal Society of Literature (RSL) is a learned society founded in 1820 by King George IV to "reward literary merit and excite literary talent". A charity that represents the voice of literature in the UK, the RSL has about 800 Fellows, elect ...
.
His sixth collection, ''Drysalter'' won the 2013 Forward Prize and the Costa Poetry Award, and was shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize.
His continuing collaboration with composer James MacMillan has led to two BBC Proms choral commissions, song cycles, music theatre works and a new opera for the Welsh National Opera, ''The Sacrifice'', which won the 2008 Royal Philharmonic Society Award.
His work for radio includes 'A Fearful Symmetry' – for Radio 4 – which won the Sandford St Martin Prize, 'Soldiers in the Sun' – for Radio 3 – which won the Clarion Award, and 'Last Words' commissioned by Radio 4 to mark the first anniversary of 9/11. His first novel, ''Patrick's Alphabet'', was published by Jonathan Cape in 2006, and his second, ''Breath'', in 2008. He is Professor of Poetry at
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University is located in the centre of Manchester, England. The university has 40,000 students and over 4,000 members of staff. It is home to four faculties (Arts and Humanities, Business and Law, Health and Education ...
Royal Literary Fund
The Royal Literary Fund (RLF) is a benevolent fund that gives assistance to published British writers in financial difficulties. Founded in 1790, and granted a royal charter in 1818, the Fund has helped an extensive roll of authors through its lon ...
. He has judged many poetry awards including the Forward Prizes, the Eliot Prize and the Arvon International Poetry Prize.
Royal Society of Literature
The Royal Society of Literature (RSL) is a learned society founded in 1820 by King George IV to "reward literary merit and excite literary talent". A charity that represents the voice of literature in the UK, the RSL has about 800 Fellows, elect ...
Cholmondeley Award
The Cholmondeley Awards ( ) are annual awards for poetry given by the Society of Authors in the United Kingdom. Awards honour distinguished poets, from a fund endowed by the Dowager Marchioness of Cholmondeley in 1966. Since 1991 the award has bee ...
Olivier Awards
The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply The Olivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognize excellence in West End theatre, professional theatre in London. The awards were originally known as the Society of We ...
BBC Audio Drama Awards
The BBC Audio Drama Awards is an awards ceremony created by BBC Radio to recognise excellence in the radio industry, in particular in Radio drama, audio dramas. The inaugural awards were presented in 2012 and the ceremony hosted at the BBC Radio ...
(2014) Best Single Drama for 'The Sleeper'
*BBC Audio Drama Awards (2015) Best Single Drama for 'Men Who Sleep in Cars' on BBC Radio 4
* Tinniswood Award (2015) Best Radio Drama Script for 'Men Who Sleep in Cars' on BBC Radio 4
*Portico Prize (2015)
*T. S. Eliot Prize (2017)
*T. S. Eliot Prize (2021)
Jonathan Cape
Jonathan Cape is a British publishing firm headquartered in London and founded in 1921 by Herbert Jonathan Cape, who was head of the firm until his death.
Cape and his business partner Wren Howard (1893–1968) set up the publishing house in ...
, 1999).
*''Burning Babylon'', (
Jonathan Cape
Jonathan Cape is a British publishing firm headquartered in London and founded in 1921 by Herbert Jonathan Cape, who was head of the firm until his death.
Cape and his business partner Wren Howard (1893–1968) set up the publishing house in ...
Jonathan Cape
Jonathan Cape is a British publishing firm headquartered in London and founded in 1921 by Herbert Jonathan Cape, who was head of the firm until his death.
Cape and his business partner Wren Howard (1893–1968) set up the publishing house in ...
, 2004) (winner of the 2004 Whitbread Poetry Award).
*''The Miracles of Jesus'', (Lion Hudson, 2006). . Official tie-in to TV series
*''Patrick's Alphabet'', (
Jonathan Cape
Jonathan Cape is a British publishing firm headquartered in London and founded in 1921 by Herbert Jonathan Cape, who was head of the firm until his death.
Cape and his business partner Wren Howard (1893–1968) set up the publishing house in ...
, 2006).
*''Breath'', (
Jonathan Cape
Jonathan Cape is a British publishing firm headquartered in London and founded in 1921 by Herbert Jonathan Cape, who was head of the firm until his death.
Cape and his business partner Wren Howard (1893–1968) set up the publishing house in ...
, 2008).
*''The Half Healed'', (
Jonathan Cape
Jonathan Cape is a British publishing firm headquartered in London and founded in 1921 by Herbert Jonathan Cape, who was head of the firm until his death.
Cape and his business partner Wren Howard (1893–1968) set up the publishing house in ...
, 2008).
*''Edgelands: Journeys into England's True Wilderness'' (with Paul Farley), (
Jonathan Cape
Jonathan Cape is a British publishing firm headquartered in London and founded in 1921 by Herbert Jonathan Cape, who was head of the firm until his death.
Cape and his business partner Wren Howard (1893–1968) set up the publishing house in ...
, 2011).
*''Drysalter'', (
Jonathan Cape
Jonathan Cape is a British publishing firm headquartered in London and founded in 1921 by Herbert Jonathan Cape, who was head of the firm until his death.
Cape and his business partner Wren Howard (1893–1968) set up the publishing house in ...
, 2013) (winner of the 2013 Costa Poetry Award).
*''Selected Poems'', (
Jonathan Cape
Jonathan Cape is a British publishing firm headquartered in London and founded in 1921 by Herbert Jonathan Cape, who was head of the firm until his death.
Cape and his business partner Wren Howard (1893–1968) set up the publishing house in ...
, 2016)
*''Deaths of the Poets'', (with Paul Farley), (
Jonathan Cape
Jonathan Cape is a British publishing firm headquartered in London and founded in 1921 by Herbert Jonathan Cape, who was head of the firm until his death.
Cape and his business partner Wren Howard (1893–1968) set up the publishing house in ...
, 2017).
*''Mancunia'', (
Jonathan Cape
Jonathan Cape is a British publishing firm headquartered in London and founded in 1921 by Herbert Jonathan Cape, who was head of the firm until his death.
Cape and his business partner Wren Howard (1893–1968) set up the publishing house in ...
, 2017)
*''Takk'', (Illustrations by Jake Attree. Published by Andrew J Moorhouse, Fine Press Poetry, 2020)
*''Ransom'', (
Jonathan Cape
Jonathan Cape is a British publishing firm headquartered in London and founded in 1921 by Herbert Jonathan Cape, who was head of the firm until his death.
Cape and his business partner Wren Howard (1893–1968) set up the publishing house in ...
*BBC Radio 3 interview and reading for – 'Northern Drift' – 2022
*BBC Radio 4 commissioned drama – 'Brimstone' – for 'Afternoon Play' – 2000
*BBC Radio 4 commissioned drama – 'Cleaning the Pipes' – for 'Fact to Fiction' – 2006
*BBC Radio 3 commissioned drama – 'Soldiers in the Sun' – 2007
*BBC Radio 4 commissioned drama – 'Worktown' – for 'Afternoon Play' – 2008
*BBC Radio 4 commissioned drama – 'Breath'- adaptation of MSR's novel for 'Friday Play' – 2008
*BBC Radio 3 commissioned drama – 'Idylls of the King' – adaptation of Tennyson poem – 2009
*BBC Radio 4 commissioned drama – 'A Man in Pieces' – for 'Afternoon Play' – 2010
*BBC Radio 3 commissioned drama – 'Migrant Mother' – 2010
*BBC Radio 4 commission – 'Last Words' – poem to mark 1st Anniversary of 9/11, performed by Sir Antony Sher, with music by John Harle.
*BBC Radio 4 / World Service commissioned poem for Hiroshima Day – 'A Fearful Symmetry.' With Fiona Shaw, Robert Tear and BBC Philharmonic. Music James Whitbourn.
*BBC Radio 2 commission – 'Behold the Man' – 6 part biography of Jesus. Performed by
Derek Jacobi
Sir Derek George Jacobi (; born 22 October 1938) is an English actor. Known for his roles on stage and screen as well as for his work at the Royal National Theatre, he has received numerous accolades including a Tony Award, a BAFTA Award, two ...
, repeated on BBC World Service.
*BBC Radio 4 commission – 'The Wounds' – poem for Good Friday, performed by Simon Russell Beale, with music by James Whitbourn.
*BBC Radio 4 commission – 'The Hurricane' – poem for
Pentecost
Pentecost (also called Whit Sunday, Whitsunday or Whitsun) is a Christianity, Christian holiday which takes place on the 49th day (50th day when inclusive counting is used) after Easter Day, Easter. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spiri ...
, performed by Fiona Shaw, with music by James Whitbourn.
*BBC Radio 4 commissioned poem – 'Crossing the Dark Sea' with composer James Whitbourn, to mark D-Day anniversary. With
Christopher Eccleston
Christopher Eccleston (; born 16 February 1964) is an English actor whose work has encompassed Hollywood blockbusters and arthouse films, television dramas, Shakespearean stage performances and science fiction, most notably the Ninth Doctor, ni ...
and
Katherine Jenkins
Katherine Jenkins (born 29 June 1980) is a Welsh singer. She is a mezzo-soprano and performs operatic arias, popular songs, musical theatre, and hymns.National Poetry Day.
*BBC Radio 2 commission – 'Anno Domini' – 11 part history of Christianity in Britain, performed by Derek Jacobi.
*BBC Radio 4 commission – 'A Higher Place' – writer and presenter of series on Sacred Mountains of the world.
*BBC Radio 2 commission – writer and presenter of 'Landscape of Remembrance', on the poets of the
First World War
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
.
*BBC Radio 4 commission – 'Hound of Heaven' – on the Victorian poet Francis Thompson.
*BBC Radio 2 commission – 'The Good Book' – 6 part series on the Bible.
*BBC Radio 4 commission – 'The Chair' – on
Welsh poetry
Welsh poetry refers to poetry of the Welsh people or nation. This includes poetry written in Welsh, poetry written in English by Welsh or Wales-based poets, poetry written in Wales in other languages or poetry by Welsh poets around the world.
...
.
*BBC Radio 4 writer and presenter of 'The Cross' documentary.
*BBC Radio 2 writer of six part series 'Sacred Nation' – a history of multi-faith Britain, presented by Christopher Eccleston
*BBC Radio 3 writer and presenter of 'Elegy' – feature about the history and meaning of the poetic
elegy
An elegy is a poem of serious reflection, and in English literature usually a lament for the dead. However, according to ''The Oxford Handbook of the Elegy'', "for all of its pervasiveness ... the 'elegy' remains remarkably ill defined: sometime ...
.
*BBC Radio 3 writer and presenter of 'Utopian Pessimist' – feature about
Simone Weil
Simone Adolphine Weil ( ; ; 3 February 1909 – 24 August 1943) was a French philosopher, mystic and political activist. Despite her short life, her ideas concerning religion, spirituality, and politics have remained widely influential in cont ...
.
*BBC Radio 4 writer and presenter of 'Three Faces of WH Auden' – 2023