Carol Ann Duffy is a poet and playwright who works currently as a Professor of Contemporary Poetry at the Manchester Metropolitan University. She was appointed a Poet Laurette in 2009.
Carol has achieved a very great feat from the start of her career as a poet, her ranks through the academics up until the level of being a Professor as well cannot be overlooked.
OldNaijaHistory will be taking you through notable events in her life from early life, career, achievements and many more.
Early Life and Background
Carol Ann Duffy was born on the 23rd of December, 1955, in Glasgow, Scotland. She is a renowned British poet.
She spent her early years in Glasgow until the age of six, after which she moved with her family to Stafford, England. Her father worked as a fitter for an electric company and even ran for Parliament in 1983, although his bid was unsuccessful.
Ann’s education was rooted in convent schools, and she showcased her literary talent early on by publishing poetry in magazines at the young age of 14. Her academic journey led her to Liverpool University, where she pursued a degree in philosophy, graduating in 1977.
After university, Duffy embarked on a career that involved publishing several books, reading, and teaching poetry. She also served as a poetry critic for The Guardian between 1988 and 1989 and worked as an editor for the poetry magazine Ambit. In 1996, she began lecturing in poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University and later became the creative director of the Writing School there.
Ann’s literary contributions are significant, with poetry collections some of which includes;”Standing Female Nude” (1985), “The Other Country” (1990), “The World’s Wife” (1999), “Rapture” (2005), and “Sincerity” (2018). She has also authored plays and children’s books, reflecting her versatile engagement with literature.
Her appointment as the first woman Poet Laureate of Great Britain in 2009 was a historic moment, marking her as a leading figure in contemporary British poetry. Duffy’s work often explores themes like gender, oppression, and social inequality, employing a conversational language that resonates with a wide audience. Her role as Poet Laureate lasted until 2019, during which she continued to influence and shape the landscape of modern poetry.
