Stevie Smith
Florence Margaret Smith, known as Stevie Smith, ( born September 20, 1902 in Kingston upon Hull, † March 7, 1971 in London) was an English writer.
Life and work
She was the second daughter of Ethel and Charles Smith. Initially it was called by relatives Peggy, but as a young woman, she received the nickname Stevie since she had seen similar when riding the then-known jockey Steve Donoghue. The father left the family early to go to sea. From the age of three was living with Smith 's mother and sister with her aunt Madge in Palmers Green in the London Borough of Enfield. The mother died a few years later; Smith and her sister stayed with the aunt.
After graduation, in 1923, she worked as a secretary at the magazine publisher Newnes and eventually became private secretary of the managing directors. She was employed there until 1953. In the twenties, she began to write poems, but only came out in 1936 with a novel as the first film. A year later, her first book of poems was published. Both publications already established its status as difficult to categorize poet. Over the years, followed by two more novels with autobiographical touches and eight books of poetry. In the sixties, she was known for the unconventional public readings of their own works; she read her poems and sang for radio and television. In 1969 she was awarded the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry.
Smith holds a special position in the English literature, because her poetry has little in common with those of their contemporaries. Sometimes the influence of William Blake and Edward Lear can be seen. Smith's language oscillates between simplicity and archaism; they used both traditional and free forms. Many poems decorated it with drawings, which underline the originality of their lyrical works. The playful and humorous tone of many poems reminiscent of nursery rhymes, but often contrasted with subtle melancholy and a thematic preference for death and suicide.
Smith lived until her death in 1971 in Palmers Green; she died of a brain tumor. She had her aging Aunt Madge maintained, even though she was in poor health. The aunt died in 1968 and Smith was just three years later in the house until her own death. She was never married.