Who Is Dylan Thomas? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Dylan Thomas, the iconic Welsh poet and writer, was born on October 27, 1914, in Swansea, Wales. He gained prominence during the 20th century for his lyrical poetry and inventive use of language. His work, which includes famed pieces like "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night", has influenced countless writers and poets. As of 2025, Dylan Thomas would have celebrated his 111th birthday, a testament to his lasting impact on literature and poetry.
Occupation | Novelist |
---|---|
Date of Birth | October 27, 1914 |
Age | 39 Years |
Birth Place | Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom |
Horoscope | Scorpio |
Country | England |
Date of death | 9 November, 1953 |
Died Place | New York City, US |
Popularity
Dylan Thomas's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While there are limited documented details about Dylan Thomas's physical appearance, he is believed to have stood around 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed approximately 160 lbs during his peak years. His measurements reflect the typical physique of a man in his era, emphasizing his robust physical presence which complemented his larger-than-life personality.
On returning to Britain, Thomas began work on two further poems, "In the white giant's thigh", which he read on the Third Programme in September 1950, and the incomplete "In country heaven". In October, Thomas sent a draft of the first 39 pages of 'The Town That Was Mad' to the BBC.
The task of seeing this work through to production as Under Milk Wood was assigned to the BBC's Douglas Cleverdon, who had been responsible for casting Thomas in 'Paradise Lost'.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Dylan Thomas was married to Caitlin Macnamara in 1937, and their tumultuous relationship was renowned in both literary circles and their personal lives. The couple had three children together: Aeronwy, Llewelyn, and Colm. Despite their struggles, including financial issues and Thomas's struggles with alcohol, his marriage significantly influenced his work. As of 2025, speculation continues about Thomas's legacy and romantic entanglements, though no new relationships have emerged posthumously.
His father had a first-class honours degree in English from University College, Aberystwyth, and ambitions to rise above his position teaching English literature at the local grammar school. Thomas had one sibling, Nancy Marles (1906–1953), who was eight years his senior.
Net Worth and Salary
Dylan Thomas's literary career has left an indelible mark on the arts, with his works continuing to sell and be adapted into various formats. While his net worth during his lifetime was modest due to financial struggles, today his estate is estimated to be worth millions, thanks to the ongoing sales of his poetry collections, published works, and adaptations. Current estimates place the value of his estate at around $10 million as of 2025, a figure that reflects both his literary significance and the commercial success of his works.
He came to be appreciated as a popular poet during his lifetime, though he found earning a living as a writer difficult. He began augmenting his income with reading tours and radio broadcasts.
His radio recordings for the BBC during the late 1940s brought him to the public's attention, and he was frequently featured by the BBC as an accessible voice of the literary scene. Thomas first travelled to the United States in the 1950s; his readings there brought him a degree of fame, while his erratic behaviour and drinking worsened.
During his fourth trip to New York in 1953, Thomas became gravely ill and fell into a coma. He died on 9 November, and his body was returned to Wales. On 25 November, he was interred at St. Martin's churchyard in Laugharne, Carmarthenshire.
Career, Business and Investments
Throughout his career, Dylan Thomas wrote numerous poems, plays, and stories, contributing to both the literary canon and prose. His major works, including his radio broadcasts and collaborations on films, showcased his versatility. Even after his untimely death in 1953, Thomas's writings continued to appreciate in value. His innovative approach to poetry and storytelling has inspired a new generation of writers and continues to be studied academically. In 2025, his works remain a staple in literature courses around the globe.
Never was there such a dame school as ours, so firm and kind and smelling of galoshes, with the sweet and fumbled music of the piano lessons drifting down from upstairs to the lonely schoolroom, where only the sometimes tearful wicked sat over undone sums, or to repent a little crime – the pulling of a girl's hair during geography, the sly shin kick under the table during English literature.
Social Network
Though Dylan Thomas did not have the benefit of contemporary social media, his influence and legacy live on through various platforms dedicated to literary appreciation. Websites, forums, and social media groups celebrate his work and discuss his impact on poetry. His estate actively maintains a presence online to promote his work, engage with fans, and preserve his legacy. In 2025, you can find discussions and tributes to him on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and dedicated literary pages on Facebook.
In 1931, when he was 16, Thomas left school to become a reporter for the South Wales Daily Post, where he remained for some 18 months.
After leaving the newspaper, Thomas continued to work as a freelance journalist for several years, during which time he remained at Cwmdonkin Drive and continued to add to his notebooks, amassing 200 poems in four books between 1930 and 1934. Of the 90 poems he published, half were written during these years.
In 2014 a fifth notebook, compiled between 1934 and August 1935, was discovered. There were sixteen poems with dates of revisions of their previous versions leading to major alterations in the hitherto accepted chronology of their composition dates.
Education
Dylan Thomas was educated at Swansea Grammar School, where his passion for poetry was ignited. Although he did not pursue formal higher education, his love for literature and language was evident in his work. He voraciously read and wrote throughout his life, honing his craft in an era that deeply valued oral storytelling and poetic expression. His education, while informal, laid the foundation for what would become an illustrious career in writing and literature.
All these relatives were bilingual, and many worshipped at Smyrna chapel in Llangain where the services were always in Welsh, including Sunday School which Thomas sometimes attended. There is also an account of the young Thomas being taught how to swear in Welsh.
His schoolboy friends recalled that "It was all Welsh—and the children played in Welsh...he couldn't speak English when he stopped at Fernhill...in all his surroundings, everybody else spoke Welsh..." At the 1921 census, 95% of residents in the two parishes around Fernhill were Welsh speakers.
Across the whole peninsula, 13%—more than 200 people—spoke only Welsh.