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Andrew Motion

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Poet

The Resume

    (October 26, 1952- )
    Born in London, United Kingdom
    Wrote 'The Pleasure Steamers' (1978), 'Independence' (1981), 'Natural Causes' (1987), 'Famous for the Creatures' (1992), 'The Price of Everything' (1995), 'Salt Water' (1997), 'Babel' (1999), 'Public Property' (2002) and 'The Five Acts of Harry Patch' (2007)
    British Poet Laureate (1999-2009)

Why he might be annoying:

    Before being named poet laureate, he was better known for his biographies than his poems.
    He convinced the prime minister to change the laureateship from a lifetime appointment to a ten-year job.
    He complained about being expected to write poems for Royal occasions, noting 'I won't be including any of that work in my future collections.'
    He wrote a rap to commemorate Prince William's 21st birthday, later admitting, 'I wish I hadn't done it really. I wish I'd stayed on the higher ground.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    He wrote acclaimed biographies of John Keats and Philip Larkin.
    His predecessor as poet laureate, Ted Hughes, was an admirer of his poetry.
    He said, 'I want my writing to be as clear as water. No ornate language; very few obvious tricks.'
    He helped create the online Poetry Archive of poets, past and present, reading their own works (2005).

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 13 Votes: 69.23% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 11 Votes: 81.82% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 30 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 20 Votes: 75.00% Annoying