18 Facts About Michael Longley

Michael George Longley was a Northern Irish poet.

The elder of twin boys, Michael Longley was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to parents Richard and Connie from London; he had an elder sister, Wendy.

Michael Longley was educated at RBAI and subsequently read Classics at Trinity College Dublin, where he edited Icarus.

Michael Longley was the Ireland Professor of Poetry from 2007 to 2010, a cross-border academic post set up in 1998, previously held by John Montague, Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill and Paul Durcan.

Michael Longley was part of the Belfast Group of poets that included Seamus Heaney with whom he became close friends, Derek Mahon and Paul Muldoon.

Michael Longley's wife, Edna, is a critic on modern Irish and British poetry.

In October 2002, Michael Longley opposed a decision by Queen's University Belfast to end the teaching of Classics and urged the university's senate to take action.

Michael Longley provided readings of his poetry for the Irish Poetry Reading Archive.

Michael Longley dedicated the second half of The Stairwell, his tenth collection, to him.

Michael Longley died of complications from hip surgery on 22 January 2025, at the age of 85.

Michael Longley's funeral took place at All Souls Church, Belfast, on 1 February 2025.

North American editions of Michael Longley's work are published by Wake Forest University Press.

Michael Longley received honorary doctorates from Queen's and Trinity and was the 2001 recipient of the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry.

Michael Longley was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2010 Birthday Honours.

Michael Longley won a 2011 London Awards for Art and Performance.

Michael Longley was awarded the PEN Pinter Prize in 2017.

In 2015 Michael Longley was elected a Freeman of the City of Belfast.

Michael Longley was a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts.