Glyn Maxwell

Start Free Trial

Biography

Download PDF PDF Page Citation Cite Share Link Share

Glyn Maxwell, the creative force behind the poem “The Nerve,” is a master of many literary forms, celebrated for his compelling plays, gripping novels, and soul-stirring opera librettos. Beyond penning these diverse works, he imparts his knowledge as a teacher and hones his craft as an editor. Despite his myriad talents, it is the realm of poetry in which this decorated author truly shines, his renown echoing throughout the literary world.

Hailing from Hertfordshire, England, Maxwell entered the world in 1962. Pursuing his scholarly ambitions, he earned a bachelor’s degree at the esteemed Oxford University. Not long after, the winds of fortune carried him across the Atlantic to Boston University, where he was granted a scholarship to delve into poetry and theater under the tutelage of Derek Walcott. Upon his return to England, Maxwell donned the hat of a literary critic before being hailed as a visiting writer at Warwick University. In 1996, his journey brought him back to the United States, where he embraced a role at Amherst College in Massachusetts. His academic odyssey continued, leading him to teach at prestigious institutions like Princeton, Columbia University, and the New School in New York City. Since 2001, he has also been weaving poetry into the fabric of the New Republic as its poetry editor.

Literary Laurels

Maxwell's poetic journey commenced with the publication of his inaugural collection, Tale of the Mayor's Son, in 1990. Two years onward, his second collection, Out of the Rain (1992), garnered accolades and won the Somerset Maugham Award, heralding his rise in the literary echelons. Rest for the Wicked (1995) further cemented his status, receiving nominations for both the T. S. Eliot Prize and the Whitbread Poetry Award. In 1998, his collection The Breakage was similarly honored, shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize and the Forward Poetry Prize for the year’s best poetry. His works, Boys at Twilight (2000), Time's Fool (2000), and The Nerve (2002), each earned the distinction of being named a Notable Book of the Year by the New York Times at different times. Moreover, The Nerve claimed the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize in 2004. In his 2005 collection, The Sugar Mile, Maxwell spins an evocative narrative, imagining a dialogue that unfolds between two British expatriates in a bustling city bar.

Beyond Poetry

Venturing beyond the realm of verse, Maxwell has penned two novels, Blue Burneau (1994), which was a candidate for the Whitbread First Novel Award, and Moon Country (1996). His theatrical endeavors have seen seven of his plays grace the professional stage, and he is currently composing his second opera libretto. Residing in the United States, Maxwell shares his life with his wife and daughter, weaving the tapestry of his extraordinary journey in letters.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Loading...