Dylan Thomas and his poetry

Dylan Thomas and his poetry

Dylan Thomas was born on October 14, 1914, in Upland, Swansea. His father, David John Thomas, received a degree at University College Aberystwyth and was valedictorian in English, he taught English at Swansea Grammar School. His father, quick tempered and intimidating had a beautiful, sonorous voice for reading aloud (which Dylan inherited). Florence Hannah Williams, Thomas's mother, was a tailor before she was married. Thomas was a troublesome child. He stole money from his mother's purse, and lied about it. While his mother was in denial about this, his sister Nancy was becoming very irritated. From 1925-1931,he attended Swansea grammar school, where his father taught. He was a small, pretty boy, and was bullied at school, until he became aggressive and rebellious. (Merric, 1)

In 1931 seventeen year old Dylan Thomas left school and became a reporter on the South Wales Evening Post, although he was not successful.

Welsh poet Dylan Thomas

English: Maritime Quarter: Swansea. A statue of Dy...

5 Cwmdonkin Drive, Swansea, birthplace of Dylan Th...

He reported a lacrosse game once, except that he was in a pub and the game had been cancelled! He was later fired. (Merric, 1)

He began drinking around the age of fifteen. He would sneak into pubs with a friend. He later entered amateur dramatics, and appeared with his sister in Hay Fever. In Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, Thomas was in a pub again, and missed his cue. (Merric, 1)

In 1933, Thomas began publishing some of his poetry. He submitted a poem to a BBC competition, and it was read on the air. During 1934, he moved to London, where alcohol took over his life. While he was in London Thomas published his first volume of 18 Poems. This was his first taste of success. Three years after living in London he met his future wife, Caitlin Macnamara. (Merric, 1)

Thomas's first broadcast...