Simon Armitage was born in West Yorkshire and is Professor of Poetry at the University of Sheffield. A recipient of numerous prizes and awards, he has published ten collections of poetry, including
Selected Poems (2001),
Seeing Stars (2010), and his acclaimed translation of
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (2007). A broadcaster and presenter, he also writes extensively for television and radio, is the author of two novels and the best-selling memoir
All Points North. In 2010 he received the CBE for services to poetry.
Photo © Paul Wolfgang Webster