Date of Birth: December 3, 1944
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Biography
Craig Raine is a distinguished British poet, critic, and editor, born on December 3, 1944, in Shildon, County Durham, England. He is often associated with the “Martian School” of poetry, a movement characterized by its use of vivid and unusual metaphors to describe everyday objects and experiences. Educated at Exeter College, Oxford, Raine’s career began in academia, where he served as a lecturer in English at various universities, including Oxford. Raine’s first collection of poems, “The Onion, Memory,” was published in 1978 and received significant critical acclaim. This was followed by several other collections, such as “A Martian Sends a Postcard Home” (1979), which solidified his reputation as a leading poet of his generation. In addition to his poetry, Raine has written novels, plays, and essays, and has served as the poetry editor for several prominent literary magazines. Throughout his career, Raine has been known for his innovative use of language and his ability to capture the essence of human experience through unique and often startling imagery. He has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to literature, including the Royal Society of Literature’s Award and the Whitbread Prize for Poetry.
5 Interesting Facts about Craig Raine
1. Craig Raine was an influential tutor and lecturer at New College, Oxford, where he mentored many aspiring poets and writers.
2. He founded the literary magazine Areté in 1999, which has become a significant platform for contemporary literature and criticism.
3. Raine is often associated with the “Martian School” of poetry, a term coined after his poem “A Martian Sends a Postcard Home.”
4. In addition to his poetry, Raine has written two novels: “Heartbreak” (2010) and “The Divine Comedy” (2012).
5. He was the poetry editor at Faber & Faber from 1981 to 1991, one of the most prestigious publishing houses in the UK.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Craig Raine
1. “Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful.”
2. “A Martian sends a postcard home: Caxtons are mechanical birds with many wings.”
3. “The essence of poetry is invention; such invention as, by producing something unexpected, surprises and delights.”
4. “Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.”
5. “In poetry, you must love the words, the ideas and the images and rhythms with all your capacity to love anything at all.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Craig Raine is estimated to be around £1 million, primarily through his literary works and editorial roles.
Children
Craig Raine has two children: a son, Moses, who is a playwright, and a daughter, Nina, who is an award-winning theatre director and playwright.
Relevant Links
1. [Craig Raine – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Raine
2. [The Poetry Archive – Craig Raine](https://www.poetryarchive.org/poet/craig-raine
3. [The Guardian – Craig Raine](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/jul/10/craig-raine-interview
4. [Areté Magazine](http://www.aretemagazine.co.uk/
5. [Faber & Faber](https://www.faber.co.uk/author/craig-raine/
