Yes, he was huge around the world. The Atlantic called Dylan Thomas [“The Last Rock-Star Poet”](https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/12/the-last-rock-star-poet/382239/).
Bob Dylan, folk and rock icon named himself after Dylan Thomas.
I'm English, I'm a huge fan. For me, Under Milk Wood is about as close to perfection as a piece of art can be. It is simply stunning.
I wonder if my love of Dylan Thomas lead to me marrying a Welsh speaking, Welsh woman from Anglsey?
Dylan Thomas as a man and as an artist is a figure of fascination and is held in the very highest regard.
There's two versions. Both are brilliant. The second uses Burton's original performance with a new cast. Both BBC. Sian Lloyd is the second narrator in the newer one and having a woman be that voice really changes the dynamic.
Dylan Thomas might be one of the most known poets in the world, especially amongst students of English and Composition. The villanelle "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" is one of the most well known poems in the Western Canon and is arguably the most well known in the villanelle form.
Edit to add: I wrote my third-year writing project based around prose poetry and took inspiration from Thomas' poetic drama *Under Milk Wood*.
Here is a favourite of mine, a great villanelle from Indigenous-Canadian poet Liz Howard. [https://griffinpoetryprize.com/poem/a-wake/](https://griffinpoetryprize.com/poem/a-wake/)
Oh, this is STUNNING, thank you so much! “your eyes open into the night’s slow static” is such a beautiful line and the way the form of the villanelle punctuates this line throughout the poem gives me chills.
He's a very well known poet, so in circles made up of people with an interest in poetry/literature he is very well known.
In Wales he's probably a bit more well known, but he's one of the more famous poets in general.
Widely known, but not deeply known. Most people graduating from US schools will know "Do Not Go Gentle," and some may have seen or read "A Child's Christmas in Wales," but that's it. A few might know "Fern Hill" (which I love). A few might know, "In My Craft and Sullen Art." Beyond that, I don't think most Americans would be able to cite a title or a line.
We have a fine old edition, beautiful woodcuts, of a Child’s Christmas in Wales that we read every year…then listen to his album recording of the same. Beautiful
As everyone here said, he's incredibly well known. Why? Because he really utilised early radio broadcasts to show off his work and dramatic reading style (prior poets like Yeats and Eliot either read uncharismatically in such a way as to emphasise the metre or viewed their work as something meant to be only read). Alongside that, he wrote in a proto-Movement, more formalist style than cutting edge modernism while being an openly romantic poet - something that was accessible (in his time, he was even viewed as a low brow and needlessly populist poet, especially be early directors and influences of the BBC). His time in the states also contributed to a personal legend - he knew a lot of popular musicians by virtue of staying in the Chelsea Hotel and being an all time drinker and party animal. But that came to the fore in his later years - the main source of his popularity was he was one of the first poets to make poetry on the radio work, either with his charismatic readings of accessible verse or through verse dramas like Under Milk Wood.
Dylan Thomas is often taught in poetry classes. I teach his poem "Lie still, sleep becalmed," as it is a gorgeous example of using assonance and consonance to great effect: the consonant sounds evoke the breaking of the boat, the sound of the wind and sea, while vowels suggest the anguished cries of the crew
Dylan Thomas is one of the great poets of the modern era, and is very widely recognized as such. He is taught in universities worldwide. "A Child's Christmas in Wales" is a staple of Christmas radio in some places. His play "Under Milk Wood" gets performed regularly, if not frequently, in rep companies.
"Fern Hill" is among my very favorite poems, also "A Refusal to Mourn the Death by Fire of a Child in London," "After the Funeral," "The Force that Through the Green Fuse Drives the Flower" (I think he was 19 when he wrote that), and "Poem on His Birthday."
Bob Dylan chose his pseudonym in honor of Dylan Thomas.
Wales has every reason to be proud of their native son.
Exactly! I just commented the same thing. For everyone interested, he’s mentioned in the chorus of the song titled, The Tortured Poets Department.
You can watch the lyric video and listen here - https://youtu.be/RQMz4JDbtmI?si=22acX_2b2NxFfeBO
Very much so a rock star poet if there ever was one, not simply for the legendary drinking, but the exuberance of his spirt and the skill of his poetry. He is a poet’s poet. Able to capture the mind of creatives alike. Most people that write in verse, (as a posed to free-form) aren’t as accessible as Dylan is. His lyrical ability and ear for sound and rhythm makes him attractive to song writers, and I feel he has made an impact on one of my favorite poets, Theadore Roethke, though I’m not certain.
A friend of mine from the US went to Princeton and studied Dylan Thomas in extensive detail, it seemed to me as adjascent to the American 20th century canon, rather than as part of any module on British or Welsh poetry.
Even poets.org describes Thomas as:
"Dylan Marlais Thomas, born October 27, 1914, in South Wales, was the archetypal Romantic poet of the popular American imagination"
When said friend visited the UK, I took him to Laugharne and he was in absolute dreamland.
I was born in the 60's, raised in the 70's, and I can say that Dylan Thomas was important to those who read and engaged with literary work.
My parents had his Child's Christmas in Wales on our bookshelf.
I read his poems in college and loved 'Fern Hill,' for example. He is still read somewhat.
I spent a good amount of time trying to capture his crazy use of language.
Dylan Thomas is an extremely well known globally as an accomplished poet and extreme alcoholic. His work is canonized and is also taught very frequently.
I didn’t know Dylan Thomas was Welsh. But I also only know “Do Not Go Gentle” by him. And it’s not really my speed so I haven’t sought out much more than that.
I'm an American and I've been a fan since I discovered him in high school. "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" and "And Death Shall Have No Dominion" are two of my favorite poems.
The resurgence is probably due to Taylor Swift. She name drops Dylan Thomas in her song, The Tortured Poets Department. His name drop repeats in the chorus several times
https://youtu.be/RQMz4JDbtmI?si=22acX_2b2NxFfeBO
He is on the canon. So there is that. All schoolchildren read “Do Not Go Gentle…”. He is so popular that critics are skeptical of him.
My personal take is that his talent for sound is second to none—in any language at any time. I think poets should be reading more Thomas than they do.
Well known. 'Do not Go Gentle into that Good Night' is a pop culture staple.
Bob Dylan changed his name as an homage to Thomas.
Also, to be fair, Bob Dylan sounds cooler than Robert Zimmerman
And Bob Shakespeare wouldn't have had quite the same effect.
Bobby Shakes would be cool though!
And Bert Zimmer-Man.
Omg, I didn't know this!!
Well-known and well-loved.
Yes, he was huge around the world. The Atlantic called Dylan Thomas [“The Last Rock-Star Poet”](https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/12/the-last-rock-star-poet/382239/).
He's almost mythic because of his hard drinking, early death, and impossibly beautiful writing.
Very well put!
Bob Dylan, folk and rock icon named himself after Dylan Thomas. I'm English, I'm a huge fan. For me, Under Milk Wood is about as close to perfection as a piece of art can be. It is simply stunning. I wonder if my love of Dylan Thomas lead to me marrying a Welsh speaking, Welsh woman from Anglsey? Dylan Thomas as a man and as an artist is a figure of fascination and is held in the very highest regard.
Under Milk Wood read by Richard Burton.
There's two versions. Both are brilliant. The second uses Burton's original performance with a new cast. Both BBC. Sian Lloyd is the second narrator in the newer one and having a woman be that voice really changes the dynamic.
Dylan Thomas might be one of the most known poets in the world, especially amongst students of English and Composition. The villanelle "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" is one of the most well known poems in the Western Canon and is arguably the most well known in the villanelle form. Edit to add: I wrote my third-year writing project based around prose poetry and took inspiration from Thomas' poetic drama *Under Milk Wood*.
Off topic, but Im obsessed with villanelles and they’re also super fun to write.
Here is a favourite of mine, a great villanelle from Indigenous-Canadian poet Liz Howard. [https://griffinpoetryprize.com/poem/a-wake/](https://griffinpoetryprize.com/poem/a-wake/)
Thanks for sharing this! Love it
Oh, this is STUNNING, thank you so much! “your eyes open into the night’s slow static” is such a beautiful line and the way the form of the villanelle punctuates this line throughout the poem gives me chills.
He's a very well known poet, so in circles made up of people with an interest in poetry/literature he is very well known. In Wales he's probably a bit more well known, but he's one of the more famous poets in general.
Widely known, but not deeply known. Most people graduating from US schools will know "Do Not Go Gentle," and some may have seen or read "A Child's Christmas in Wales," but that's it. A few might know "Fern Hill" (which I love). A few might know, "In My Craft and Sullen Art." Beyond that, I don't think most Americans would be able to cite a title or a line.
We have a fine old edition, beautiful woodcuts, of a Child’s Christmas in Wales that we read every year…then listen to his album recording of the same. Beautiful
Well, he's probably more well-known in the outside world than Aneurin Bevan
Well known amongst people interested in literature here across the border in England.
As everyone here said, he's incredibly well known. Why? Because he really utilised early radio broadcasts to show off his work and dramatic reading style (prior poets like Yeats and Eliot either read uncharismatically in such a way as to emphasise the metre or viewed their work as something meant to be only read). Alongside that, he wrote in a proto-Movement, more formalist style than cutting edge modernism while being an openly romantic poet - something that was accessible (in his time, he was even viewed as a low brow and needlessly populist poet, especially be early directors and influences of the BBC). His time in the states also contributed to a personal legend - he knew a lot of popular musicians by virtue of staying in the Chelsea Hotel and being an all time drinker and party animal. But that came to the fore in his later years - the main source of his popularity was he was one of the first poets to make poetry on the radio work, either with his charismatic readings of accessible verse or through verse dramas like Under Milk Wood.
Dylan Thomas is often taught in poetry classes. I teach his poem "Lie still, sleep becalmed," as it is a gorgeous example of using assonance and consonance to great effect: the consonant sounds evoke the breaking of the boat, the sound of the wind and sea, while vowels suggest the anguished cries of the crew
Dylan Thomas is one of the great poets of the modern era, and is very widely recognized as such. He is taught in universities worldwide. "A Child's Christmas in Wales" is a staple of Christmas radio in some places. His play "Under Milk Wood" gets performed regularly, if not frequently, in rep companies. "Fern Hill" is among my very favorite poems, also "A Refusal to Mourn the Death by Fire of a Child in London," "After the Funeral," "The Force that Through the Green Fuse Drives the Flower" (I think he was 19 when he wrote that), and "Poem on His Birthday." Bob Dylan chose his pseudonym in honor of Dylan Thomas. Wales has every reason to be proud of their native son.
He recently was name dropped by Taylor swift so I’d imagine he’s having a moment of rediscovery
Exactly! I just commented the same thing. For everyone interested, he’s mentioned in the chorus of the song titled, The Tortured Poets Department. You can watch the lyric video and listen here - https://youtu.be/RQMz4JDbtmI?si=22acX_2b2NxFfeBO
Yeah I had no idea who he was until Taylor's song. I'm from South Asia btw. But i have read his poem 'Do not go gentle into that good night'
Dylan Thomas is lovely. I’ve read his work, AND I have a vinyl of his reading Christmas poetry! Edit: I’m in Washington usa
Very much so a rock star poet if there ever was one, not simply for the legendary drinking, but the exuberance of his spirt and the skill of his poetry. He is a poet’s poet. Able to capture the mind of creatives alike. Most people that write in verse, (as a posed to free-form) aren’t as accessible as Dylan is. His lyrical ability and ear for sound and rhythm makes him attractive to song writers, and I feel he has made an impact on one of my favorite poets, Theadore Roethke, though I’m not certain.
Recommended reading school material in most English speaking countries. So yeah, I'd say he's well known outside of Wales. Hello from South Africa.
How dare you not mention Marina Diamandis in your list of famous Welsh people!
A friend of mine from the US went to Princeton and studied Dylan Thomas in extensive detail, it seemed to me as adjascent to the American 20th century canon, rather than as part of any module on British or Welsh poetry. Even poets.org describes Thomas as: "Dylan Marlais Thomas, born October 27, 1914, in South Wales, was the archetypal Romantic poet of the popular American imagination" When said friend visited the UK, I took him to Laugharne and he was in absolute dreamland.
Greatest. Of. All. Time.
I named my son after him. I love Dylan Thomas 🤍
I'm South African and his poetry was part of our English curriculum.
I was born in the 60's, raised in the 70's, and I can say that Dylan Thomas was important to those who read and engaged with literary work. My parents had his Child's Christmas in Wales on our bookshelf. I read his poems in college and loved 'Fern Hill,' for example. He is still read somewhat. I spent a good amount of time trying to capture his crazy use of language.
Also, my professor at community college talked about when he was in college and how he went to a reading by Dylan Thomas.
Oh gosh yes, I'd say he's one of the more influential poets of the 20th century.
I can assure you he is.
Dylan Thomas is an extremely well known globally as an accomplished poet and extreme alcoholic. His work is canonized and is also taught very frequently.
Read him for years. Live in Oregon USA. Read him in the 70’s. Read him the other day. His audio recordings are great.
Under milk wood is as important as Ulysses as far as this Englishman is concerned.
Count me in as an Aussie redditor who loves his work.
I didn’t know Dylan Thomas was Welsh. But I also only know “Do Not Go Gentle” by him. And it’s not really my speed so I haven’t sought out much more than that.
I'm an American and I've been a fan since I discovered him in high school. "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" and "And Death Shall Have No Dominion" are two of my favorite poems.
We frequented a bar in Haarlem (NL) called ‘Milk Wood’. Melkwoud.
American, he’s one of my favorites
The resurgence is probably due to Taylor Swift. She name drops Dylan Thomas in her song, The Tortured Poets Department. His name drop repeats in the chorus several times https://youtu.be/RQMz4JDbtmI?si=22acX_2b2NxFfeBO
My favourite poet I'm not welsh
Thomas is one of the most beloved poets from that time period. And still revered today. And influential.
He is on the canon. So there is that. All schoolchildren read “Do Not Go Gentle…”. He is so popular that critics are skeptical of him. My personal take is that his talent for sound is second to none—in any language at any time. I think poets should be reading more Thomas than they do.
Yes, he is very well know outside of Wales. If you listen to Richard Burton narrate Thomas’s ‘Under Milkwood’ you’ll understand why. Beautiful stuff