Andrew Motion

Date of Birth: October 26, 1952

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Biography

Andrew Motion is a celebrated British poet, novelist, and biographer, best known for his tenure as the UK Poet Laureate from 1999 to 2009. Born in London, Motion was educated at Radley College and University College, Oxford, where he studied English. His early work was influenced by the likes of Philip Larkin and Edward Thomas, and he quickly established himself as a significant voice in contemporary British poetry with collections such as “The Pleasure Steamers” (1978) and “Independence” (1981). Motion’s career expanded beyond poetry into novel writing and biography. He has penned biographies of prominent literary figures such as Philip Larkin and John Keats, the latter of which won the Somerset Maugham Award in 1998. His narrative style and ability to capture the essence of his subjects have made his biographical works particularly well-regarded. During his tenure as Poet Laureate, Motion was known for his efforts to make poetry more accessible to the public, including initiatives to encourage young people to engage with poetry. He was knighted in 2009 for his services to literature and continues to teach creative writing, currently holding a professorship at Johns Hopkins University.

5 Interesting Facts about Andrew Motion

1. Andrew Motion was the UK Poet Laureate from 1999 to 2009, a position he used to promote the democratization of poetry.

2. He co-founded the Poetry Archive, an online resource of poets reading their own work, which has become a significant educational tool.

3. Motion has written several acclaimed biographies, including those of Philip Larkin and John Keats, the latter of which earned him the Somerset Maugham Award.

4. He was knighted in 2009 for his services to literature.

5. In addition to his literary accomplishments, Motion is an advocate for the environment and has written on various ecological issues.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Andrew Motion

1. “Poetry is a way of taking life by the throat.”

2. “The task of a poet is to give the overlooked and the unsayable a voice.”

3. “The best poems take you beyond words, beyond thought, to a place where you can feel something ineffable.”

4. “Being a writer is like having homework every night for the rest of your life.”

5. “I think good poetry makes you feel like you’re not alone in the world.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Andrew Motion’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

Andrew Motion has three children: Thomas, born in 1986, and twins, Hannah and Rachel, born in 1989. All have pursued diverse careers outside the literary world.