Philip Larkin

Date of Birth: August 9, 1922

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: December 2, 1985

Biography

Philip Larkin was a renowned English poet, novelist, and librarian, considered one of the most significant British poets of the 20th century. Born on August 9, 1922, in Coventry, England, Larkin’s poetry is celebrated for its clarity, precision, and deep emotional resonance. His work often reflects themes of mortality, human relationships, and the passage of time. Larkin attended King Henry VIII School in Coventry before going on to study at St John’s College, Oxford, where he formed a lifelong friendship with fellow poet and critic, Kingsley Amis. After graduating with a first-class honors degree in English, Larkin embarked on a career as a librarian, eventually becoming the University Librarian at the University of Hull, a position he held from 1955 until his retirement in 1985. Larkin’s poetry collections, which include “The Less Deceived” (1955), “The Whitsun Weddings” (1964), and “High Windows” (1974), received widespread acclaim and cemented his reputation as a leading voice in post-war British literature. In addition to his poetry, Larkin also wrote two novels, “Jill” (1946) and “A Girl in Winter” (1947), as well as numerous essays and reviews. Philip Larkin never married and had no children. He passed away on December 2, 1985, in Kingston upon Hull, England.

5 Interesting Facts about Philip Larkin

1. Philip Larkin worked as a librarian for over three decades, which significantly influenced his writing and outlook on life.

2. He was offered the position of Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom in 1984 but declined the honor.

3. Larkin was an ardent jazz enthusiast and wrote jazz reviews for several publications.

4. He was known for his reclusive nature and had a complex personal life, including several long-term relationships.

5. Despite his literary success, Larkin was known to have a rather pessimistic view of life, which is often reflected in his poetry.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Philip Larkin

1. “They fuck you up, your mum and dad. They may not mean to, but they do.”

2. “What are days for? Days are where we live. They come, they wake us Time and time over. They are to be happy in: Where can we live but days?”

3. “Life has a practice of living you, if you don’t live it.”

4. “Deprivation is for me what daffodils were for Wordsworth.”

5. “I can’t understand these chaps who go round American universities explaining how they write poems: It’s like going round explaining how you sleep with your wife.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Philip Larkin’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but he lived modestly and left an estate valued at £100,000 at the time of his death in 1985.