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Gregory Fellows in Poetry

James Kirkup prolific poet, translator and travel writer. Kirkup came to public attention in 1977, when a poem of his published in Gay News was the subject of the last successful prosecution for blasphemous libel in the UK. Gregory Fellow 1950-1952.

John Heath Stubbs poet and translator, known for verse influenced by classical myths, and for the long Arthurian poem Artorius (1972). Stubbs won the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 1973; was awarded an OBE in 1989; and became President of the Poetry Society from 1993 to 2006. Gregory Fellow 1952-1955.

Thomas Blackburn poet, also known for his memoirs, musicals and plays for radio, as well as poetry. His work is noted for its self-examination and spiritual imagery. Gregory Fellow 1956-1958.

John Silkin poet, translator and editor. Silkin's poems often focused on his Jewish identity, a sense of dislocation, and the divide between humankind and nature. He founded the magazine Stand, which he edited until his death in 1997. Gregory Fellow 1958-1960.

William Price Turner poet, editor and critic. He stayed in Leeds for several years following his Fellowship, worked as a sub-editor, and then reviewer for the Yorkshire Post; and taught creative writing. Gregory Fellow 1960-1962.

Peter Redgrove a prolific poet and novelist, who published over 50 collections of verse. Redgrove was also an analytic psychologist, who drew upon his training in science to provide an all-encompassing theory of nature and creation.  Gregory Fellow 1960-1965.

David Wright, South African born poet, novelist and editor.Wright had been deaf since the age of seven, which would later be a focus of his autobiography, Deafness: A Personal Account (1969). Gregory Fellow 1965-1967.

Martin Bell poet and key member of 'The Group'. At 49, Bell was the oldest person to hold the fellowship. He remained in Leeds until his death in 1978. Gregory Fellow 1967-1970.

Kevin Crossley-Holland poet, children's author and translator. His writing for children, including the best-selling Arthur trilogy, has won various prizes including the Carnegie Medal, and the Guardian Children's Fiction Award. Gregory Fellow 1969-1971.

Pearse Hutchinson an Irish poet, broadcaster and translator, whose first collection had been published in 1945. Hutchinson continued to write until just before his death in 2003. He held the post for 3 years. Gregory Fellow 1971-1974.

Wayne Brown poet, columnist fiction writer, and teacher. Trinidad born Brown was the only non-British poet to hold the Gregory Fellowship. He had been awarded the Commonwealth Poetry Prize in 1973 for his collection On the Coast. Gregory Fellow 1974-1976.

Paul Mills poet and playwright. Mills was the last Gregory Fellow in Poetry. He has published five collections of verse, and continues to lecture on Creative Writing, about which he has written several books. Gregory Fellow 1978-1980.