Denise Levertov

Denise Levertov (24 October 1923 –  20 December 1997) was an American poet. 

She was born in Ilford, Essex, England. Her father was born in Russia. He was Jewish, but he became Christian and was an Anglican priest when she was born. She had no formal education but was taught at home by her parents. When she was 12, she sent some of her poems to T. S. Eliot. He answered her with a long, hopeful letter.

Levertov was a nurse during World War II. Her first book of poems came out in 1946. She moved to the United States in 1948 with her husband Mitchell Goodman, an American writer. In 1956 she became a U. S. citizen. Her husband introduced her to poet Robert Creeley. Through him she got to know poets Robert Duncan and Charles Olson.

From the 1960s, Levertov was active as a pacifist against the Vietnam War and nuclear weapons. She also protested against American aid to El Salvador and the Persian Gulf War.

Levertov died of lymphoma in 1997.

Books

 Related pages 
List of poets from North America

References

Category:1923 births
Category:1997 deaths
Category:American poets