John Agard is a renowned poet celebrated throughout England. Born in Guyana, his passion for language was ignited by his love for cricket commentary on the radio, leading him to craft his own. This early fascination propelled him into a career in journalism, serving as a sub-editor and feature writer for the Guyana Sunday Chronicle newspaper before relocating to England in 1977.
Upon his arrival in England, Agard embarked on a journey as a touring lecturer for the Commonwealth Institute. His travels took him to schools across the UK, where he shared insights into Caribbean culture and introduced students to one of his most famous poems, “Half-Caste.” In 1993, he was appointed Writer in Residence at the Southbank Centre in London and later assumed the role of Poet in Residence at the BBC, part of a program administered by the Poetry Society. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the ‘Windrush’ season of programs in 1998.
In addition to his poetry, Agard is also a prolific author of children’s books
Works such as “Lend Me Your Wings” (1987), a finalist for the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize, and “Hello New!: New Poems for a New Century” (2000), recognized by the Poetry Society as a Children’s Poetry Bookshelf Best Anthology, showcase his versatility and literary prowess.
Agard’s contributions to literature have earned him numerous accolades These include the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry, the Paul Hamlyn Award for Poetry in 1997, and the eCasa de las Américas Prize. In November 2021, he received the Book Trust’s lifetime award in recognition of his outstanding achievements.
His impact extends to education His poem “Checking Out Me History” studied and featured in the AQA English GCSE anthology, exposing millions of students aged 13–16 to his work as they pursue their GCSE qualifications. Through his poetry and literary endeavors, John Agard continues to enrich the cultural landscape and inspire generations of readers and students alike.
And all this started when he published his first piece of writing was in sixth form which goes to show that you’re never too young to start anything.
