Wystan Hugh Auden

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Also known as W. H. Auden Born: February 21, 1907 in York, England Died: September 28, 1973 in Vienna, Austria English-born American poet, critic, essayist, dramatist, editor, translator, and librettist W. H. Auden is one of the finest poets of the twentieth century. His poetry centers on moral issues and verifies strong political, social, and psychological orientations. In his work, Auden applies theoretical and scientific knowledge to traditional verse forms and metrical patterns while incorporating the industrial countryside of his youth. Auden was born and raised in heavily industrial northern England. His father, George Augustus Auden was a prominent physician whose knowledge extended into the mythology and folklore of his Icelandic heritage, whereas his mother, Constance Rosalie was a strict Anglican nurse. ...

... Bollingen Prize in Poetry 1956 National Book Award for The Shield of Achilles 1956-61 Oxford University, Oxford, England professor of poetry 1957 Feltrinelli Prize in Rome 1959 Alexander Droutzkoy Memorial Award; Shared Guiness Poetry Award (Ireland) with Robert Lowell & Edith Sitwell 1959-63 With Jacques Barzun and Lionel Trilling, established the Mid-Century Book Society; wrote occasionally for its periodical, The Mid-Century 1960

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