Al Alvarez

Date of Birth: 5 August 1929

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: 23 September 2019

Biography

Al Alvarez, born Alfred Alvarez, was a British poet, novelist, essayist, and critic. He was a prominent literary figure known for his insightful and often provocative perspectives on literature, culture, and life. Born in London, Alvarez was educated at The Hall School in Hampstead, Oundle School, and Corpus Christi College, Oxford. His body of work spans poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, with notable contributions to the understanding of suicide and gambling through his books “The Savage God” and “The Biggest Game in Town,” respectively. Alvarez’s career as a poet was distinguished by his unflinching exploration of human emotion and existential themes. He served as poetry editor and critic for The Observer from 1956 to 1966, where he championed the works of then-emerging poets such as Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes. His work often reflected his deep intellectual engagement and fearless approach to controversial subjects.

5 Interesting Facts about Al Alvarez

1. Alvarez was a competitive poker player and wrote one of the first books on the World Series of Poker, “The Biggest Game in Town.”

2. His book “The Savage God” is a seminal work on the subject of suicide, partly influenced by his friendship with poet Sylvia Plath.

3. Alvarez was an avid rock climber and wrote extensively about the sport in his book “Feeding the Rat.”

4. He had a significant influence on contemporary poetry, advocating for a more direct and emotionally honest style.

5. Alvarez’s diverse interests also included oil painting, and he sometimes exhibited his work.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Al Alvarez

1. “I want my poems to be clear as water. I want them to be accessible, to speak to people, and to have an emotional impact.”

2. “The success of poetry, to some extent, is measured by its ability to make the speaker and the listener feel less alone.”

3. “In the end, you write about the things that obsess you, the things you can’t forget, the things that haunt you.”

4. “Suicide is a rejection of life. It’s an assertion that life is not worth living, a radical act of disbelief.”

5. “Poker is a game of skill masquerading as a game of chance, much like life itself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Alvarez’s highest net worth is not widely documented, but his contributions to literature and his various successful books and works likely afforded him a comfortable living. Estimates of his net worth vary but are generally considered to be in the range of several million dollars.