Who Is Simon Armitage? Age, Biography and Wiki
Simon Armitage, born on May 26, 1963, is a celebrated English poet, playwright, and novelist known for his impactful contributions to contemporary literature. As of 2025, he is 62 years old. Armitage grew up in Marsden, West Yorkshire, and has made a name for himself through his unique blend of colloquial language and profound themes, which often explore the human condition. Over the years, he has received numerous accolades, including the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry and the title of Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom.
| Occupation | Playwright |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 26, 1963 |
| Age | 62 Years |
| Birth Place | Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | England |
Popularity
Simon Armitage's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Simon Armitage stands at a height of approximately 6 feet (183 cm). His weight is reportedly around 170 lbs (77 kg), giving him a healthy physique suitable for his active lifestyle. While specific body measurements are not widely disclosed, Armitage's engaging presence is a reflection of his dedication to both his craft and personal well-being.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Simon Armitage is known to be in a committed relationship, although he has kept the details of his romantic life relatively private. Previously, he has maintained a focus on his career and family rather than sensationalizing his personal relationships. He has two children, which he often speaks about in interviews, emphasizing the importance of family in his life.
He has an older sister, Hilary. His father Peter was a former electrician, probation officer and firefighter who was well known locally for writing plays and pantomimes for his all-male panto group, The Avalanche Dodgers.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Simon Armitage's estimated net worth ranges between $1 million to $5 million. His wealth primarily stems from his successful career as a poet, which includes book sales, readings, and various literary projects. His role as a public figure and lecturer also contributes significantly to his annual earnings, showcasing his prominence in the literary field.
" 'I speak as someone ...' " was first published in The Times on 20 February 2021 and commemorates the 200th anniversary of the death of the poet John Keats, who died in Rome on 23 February 1821. To mark a stage in the easing of lockdown, Armitage wrote "Cocoon" which he read on BBC Radio 4's Today on 29 March 2021.
"The Patriarchs – An Elegy" marks the death of Prince Philip and was released on the day of his funeral, 17 April 2021. It refers to the snow on the day of his death, and Armitage has said "I've written about a dozen laureate poems since I was appointed, but this is the first royal occasion and it feels like a big one".
Armitage wrote "70 notices" in 2021 as a commission for the Off the Shelf Festival to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the creation of the Peak District National Park.
"Futurama" was Armitage's response to the 2021 Cop26 conference held in Glasgow, and he said of it "I was trying to chart the peculiar dream-like state we seem to be in, where the rules and natural laws of the old world feel to be in flux".
In November 2019 Armitage announced that he would donate his salary as poet laureate to create the Poetry School's Laurel Prize for a collection of poems "with nature and the environment at their heart". The prize is to be run by the Poetry School.
Career, Business and Investments
Armitage's literary career began in the late 20th century, and since then, he has published numerous poetry collections, novels, and essays. Notably, he has received widespread acclaim for works such as "Walking Home," "The Not Dead," and "The Unaccompanied." Besides writing, he engages in educational initiatives, offering workshops and lectures to budding writers. He has also contributed to various anthologies and literary festivals, further cementing his status as a significant figure in the literary community.
In addition to his literary pursuits, Armitage has explored media opportunities, including radio broadcasts and television programs that showcase poetry.
He has lectured on creative writing at the University of Leeds and at the University of Iowa, and in 2008 was a senior lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has made literary, history and travel programmes for BBC Radio 3 and 4; and since 1992 he has written and presented a number of TV documentaries.
From 2009 to 2012 he was Artist in Residence at London's South Bank, and in February 2011 he became Professor of Poetry at the University of Sheffield. He was elected to serve as Professor of Poetry at the University of Oxford for 2015–2019. In October 2017 he was appointed as the first Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds.
In 2019 he was appointed Poet Laureate for ten years, following Carol Ann Duffy. He is a trustee of the National Poetry Centre, a charity established in 2022 which plans to open "a new national home for poetry" in Leeds in 2027.
In 2025 he received the Freedom of the City of London, for "his outstanding achievements in the written word and his enthusiastic promotion of poetry, in particular, to the younger generation".
Social Network
Simon Armitage is active on social media platforms, including Twitter and Instagram, where he engages with fans and shares updates about his work. His online presence allows him to connect with a broader audience, promote his literary projects, and inspire a new generation of poets and writers.
For the Stanza Stones Trail, which runs through 47 mile of the Pennine region, Armitage composed six new poems on his walks. With the help of local expert Tom Lonsdale and letter-carver Pip Hall, the poems were carved into stones at secluded sites.
A book, containing the poems and the accounts of Lonsdale and Hall, has been produced as a record of that journey and has been published by Enitharmon Press. The poems, complemented with commissioned wood engravings by Hilary Paynter, were also published in several limited editions under the title 'In Memory of Water' by Fine Press Poetry.
For National Poetry Day in 2020, BT commissioned him to write "Something clicked", a reflection on lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023 The National Trust commissioned a poem by Armitage for Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire.
Artist Adrian Riley collaborated with Armitage and stone carver Richard Dawson to create 'Balancing Act' – a gateway-like public artwork carrying Armitage's poem where the rocks meet moorland.
Education
Armitage studied at the University of Leeds, where he earned his BA in Geography. He later pursued an MA in poetic writing. His academic background significantly influences his work, as he often weaves themes of nature, landscape, and human experiences into his poetry. This education has equipped him with a critical understanding of literary forms and styles, contributing to his unique voice as a poet.
Simon Robert Armitage (born 26 May 1963) is an English poet, playwright, musician and novelist. He was appointed Poet Laureate on 10 May 2019. He is professor of poetry at the University of Leeds.
