Date of Birth: April 13, 1939
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Date of Death: August 30, 2013
Biography
Seamus Heaney was an Irish poet, playwright, and translator, widely regarded as one of the major poets of the 20th century. Born into a rural farming community in County Derry, Northern Ireland, Heaney’s work often reflects his upbringing and the Irish landscape. He was educated at St. Columb’s College in Derry and later at Queen’s University Belfast, where he studied English Language and Literature. Heaney’s first major collection, “Death of a Naturalist” (1966), brought him immediate acclaim, and he continued to publish numerous collections of poetry, essays, and translations, including the acclaimed translation of “Beowulf” in 1999. Heaney was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995, recognized for “works of lyrical beauty and ethical depth, which exalt everyday miracles and the living past.” In addition to his literary achievements, Heaney held academic positions at Harvard University and Oxford University. His work remains central to contemporary Irish literature and continues to influence poets and writers worldwide.
5 Interesting Facts about Seamus Heaney
1. Seamus Heaney won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1995.
2. He was sometimes referred to as “the greatest poet of our age” by fellow poet Robert Lowell.
3. Heaney translated the epic poem “Beowulf,” which became a bestseller upon its release in 1999.
4. He served as the Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory at Harvard University from 1985 to 1997.
5. Heaney was appointed Professor of Poetry at Oxford University from 1989 to 1994.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Seamus Heaney
1. “If you have the words, there’s always a chance that you’ll find the way.”
2. “Walk on air against your better judgment.”
3. “The end of art is peace.”
4. “I rhyme to see myself, to set the darkness echoing.”
5. “The way we are living, timorous or bold, will have been our life.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the time of his death in 2013, Seamus Heaney’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Seamus Heaney had three children with his wife, Marie Devlin: Michael, Christopher, and Catherine Ann.
Relevant Links
1. [Biography on Poetry Foundation](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/seamus-heaney
2. [Nobel Prize Profile](https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/1995/heaney/biographical/
3. [BBC: Seamus Heaney: A Life in Poetry](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23898891
