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16 Facts About Gillian Clarke

1.

Gillian Clarke was born on 8 June 1937 and is a Welsh poet and playwright, who edits, broadcasts, lectures and translates from Welsh into English.

2.

Gillian Clarke co-founded Ty Newydd, a writers' centre in North Wales.

3.

Gillian Clarke then returned to Cardiff, where she gave birth to her daughter, Catrin, and two sons.

4.

Gillian Clarke worked as an English teacher, first at the Reardon-Smith Nautical College and later at Newport College of Art.

5.

Gillian Clarke's poetry is studied by GCSE and A Level students throughout the United Kingdom.

6.

Gillian Clarke has given poetry readings and lectures in Europe and the United States; her work has been translated into ten languages.

7.

Gillian Clarke has published numerous collections of poetry for adults and children, as well as dramatic commissions and articles in a wide range of publications.

8.

Gillian Clarke is a former editor of The Anglo-Welsh Review and the current president of Ty Newydd.

9.

In 1999, Gillian Clarke received the Glyndwr Award for an "Outstanding Contribution to the Arts in Wales" during the Machynlleth Festival.

10.

Gillian Clarke was on the judging panel for the 2008 Manchester Poetry Prize.

11.

Gillian Clarke reads her poetry for teenagers who are taking their English GCSE school exams.

12.

Gillian Clarke is part of the GCSE Poetry Live team that includes John Agard, Simon Armitage, Carol Ann Duffy, Imtiaz Dharker, Moniza Alvi, Grace Nichols, Daljit Nagra and Choman Hardi.

13.

In December 2013, Gillian Clarke was the guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.

14.

Gillian Clarke has written over 100 poems during her career.

15.

In 2008, Gillian Clarke became the third National Poet of Wales.

16.

Gillian Clarke held the post until 2016, when she was succeeded by Ifor ap Glyn.