Hegley, John

(1953- )

   Born in Islington, London, he was brought up in Luton and Bristol and graduated B.S. in literature and sociology from Bradford University. He worked on Soapbox Children's Theatre in 1979, presented the TV poetry series Word of Mouth in 1990, and the BBC Radio series Hearing with Hegley, 1997-1999. He was BBC on-line poet in residence, 1998, and played Vernon Hines in Pyjama Game, 1999. His poems range from the surreal to the humorous to the personal and emotional. His stage act includes elements of poetry, music and comedy. In 2000 he received an honorary arts doctorate from Luton University. In addition to his poetry he has also released his own CD of songs and poetry, Saint and Blurry (2002). Some of his publications: Poems for Pleasure, 1989. Glad to Wear Glasses, 1990. Can I Come Down Now Dad, 1991. Five Sugars Please, 1993. Beyond Our Kennel, 1998. Dog, 2000. My Dog is a Carrot, 2002. The Sound of Paint Drying, 2003. Some of his poems: "Love Poem by My Dog," "Poetry in India," "The Death of a Scoutmaster," "Tuna Day (for the USA)."

   Sources: John Hegley (http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth02D4J450112627326). The Columbia Granger's Index to Poetry. 11th ed. The Columbia Granger's World of Poetry, Columbia University Press, 2005 (http://www.columbiagrangers.org). The Kingfisher Book of Children's Poetry. Michael Rosen, ed. Kingfisher Books, 1985. The New Exeter Book of Riddles. Kevin CrossleyHolland and Lawrence Sail, ed. Enitharmon Press, 1999. The Oxford Companion to English Literature. 6th edition. Margaret Drabble, ed. Oxford University Press, 2000. Who's Who. London: A & C Black, 2005. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Wikipedia).