Dylan Thomas

Dylan Thomas was born at the start of the First World War in the "ugly, lovely town" of Swansea, an industrial, coastal town on the South Wales Coast. He published his first volume of poetry, "Eighteen poems" in 1934 and went on to write many more volumes of poetry as well as many short stories, filmscripts, broadcast stories and talks. His work is mainly known for the darkly brooding Welsh Puritanism contrasting with the strong emotions and sensuality. Although regarded as a "Classic Welsh writer," he never spoke Welsh. He is best known for the poem "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" and the wonderful "Under Milk Wood." The latter was broadcast by the BBC with the subtitle "A play for voices" and, although people have since attempted films and plays, none are as successful as the simple radio version.