He was 68 years old. Mr. Hughes, Britain's poet laureate, had been suffering from cancer for nearly 18 months but had only notified his closest friends and had never publicized the circumstances of his sickness, according to Matthew Evans, chairman of Mr. Hughes's publisher, Faber and Faber. Mr. Evans said Mr. Hughes had decided not to use his illness as "an excuse to rewrite his will," but added that it was possible he may have left instructions about it in a notebook or other manuscript. Mr. Evans also said Mr. Hughes had recently begun writing again after several years away from his work. He described this as "a sign of vitality rather than of weakness." Mr. Hughes's death came three days after his wife, who was also his editor and friend, died at their home in North Yorkshire after 44 years of marriage. The couple had two children. Hughes was one of the most influential poets of the 20th century. His work is included in many school curricula throughout the world. He published more than 30 books of poetry and prose, including five collections of his own poems. His best-known works include "The Hawk in the Rain" and "Kubla Khan". Mr. Hughes was appointed poet laureate in 2003 by Queen Elizabeth II. He retained the post until his death.