Dylan Marlais Thomas is perhaps Wales’ best-known writer, with one of his most famous works the radio play Under Milk Wood.
He was born on 27 October 1914 and grew up at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, Swansea.
A submission to a poetry competition resulted in it being read on air, which started him on his path in writing.
In 1934 he moved to London where his first poetry collection, 18 Poems, was praised by a number of established poets.
He went from prodigy to a living legend as the first poet to be magnified by celebrity culture – his words, voice, image and private life broadcast on an international scale through the 20th Century’s new media of radio, television, film and audio recordings, according to a 2014 article.
You might have heard his poems Fern Hill, And Death Shall Have No Dominion, and Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, which are staples at memorial services.
In the 1940s, he became a regular presence on the , writing scripts, reading poetry and short stories, as well as acting.
