Date of Birth: April 25, 1949
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Biography
James Martin Fenton is an acclaimed British poet, journalist, and literary critic, renowned for his versatile and insightful works. Born on April 25, 1949, in Lincoln, England, Fenton showed an early interest in literature and excelled academically. He attended Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied under the tutelage of poet John Fuller. Fenton’s career has spanned several decades, during which he has published numerous collections of poetry, essays, and criticism. His works often explore themes of history, politics, and human experience, and he has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry in 2007. Besides his literary pursuits, Fenton has also contributed significantly to journalism, serving as a war correspondent in Southeast Asia and later writing for prominent publications like The Times and The New York Review of Books.
5 Interesting Facts about James Fenton
1. James Fenton won the Newdigate Prize for his poem “Our Western Furniture” while studying at Oxford.
2. He served as the Professor of Poetry at the University of Oxford from 1994 to 1999.
3. Fenton was a close friend and collaborator of playwright Christopher Hitchens.
4. He has a keen interest in gardening and has written extensively on the subject.
5. Fenton wrote the libretto for the opera “Haroun and the Sea of Stories,” based on Salman Rushdie’s novel.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Fenton
1. “Imagination is the real and eternal world of which this vegetable universe is but a faint shadow.”
2. “History is a resource that should be used to educate, not to punish.”
3. “The poet’s job is to put into words what others cannot.”
4. “The act of writing is the act of discovering what you believe.”
5. “Poetry is at least an elegance and at most a revelation.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by James Fenton is estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
James Fenton does not have any known children.
Relevant Links
1. [James Fenton’s Poetry Foundation Profile](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/james-fenton
5. [James Fenton on the BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/poetryseason/poets/james_fenton.shtml