Leslie Norris was a Welsh poet and short story writer born on May 21, 1921, in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. He is celebrated for his Collected Stories and Collected Poems, which earned multiple literary awards, and for his role as a Humanities Professor at Brigham Young University.
Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | George Leslie Norris |
| Birth | 21 May 1921, Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales |
| Death | 6 April 2006, Provo, Utah, USA (84 Years) |
| Nationality | Welsh, British |
| Occupation | Poet, Short Story Writer, Educator |
| Early Life | Grew up during the Great Depression; father transitioned from miner to milkman due to health issues; attended Georgetown Primary School and Cyfarthfa Castle Grammar School; published his first poem at age 17 in 1938. |
| Education | City of Coventry Teacher Training College (graduated 1949); M.A. in Philosophy of English Poetry from University of Southampton (1958). |
| Military Service | Joined the Royal Air Force in 1940; trained as a pilot but was discharged in 1941 due to health issues. |
| Teaching Career | Taught at various schools in England; became headmaster of Westergate School in West Sussex; later served as a lecturer and principal lecturer at Bognor Regis College of Education and West Sussex Institute of Higher Learning. |
| Academic Positions | Visiting professor at University of Washington (1973); Residential Poet at Eton College (1977); Poet-in-Residence and Professor of Creative Writing at Brigham Young University (from 1983 until his death). |
| Major Works | Poetry collections: The Loud Winter (1967), Finding Gold (1967), Ransoms (1970), Walking the White Fields (1980), Collected Poems (1996); Short story collections: Sliding (1978), The Girl from Cardigan (1988), Collected Stories (1996). |
| Themes | Welsh heritage, nature, childhood, memory, human experience. |
| Awards & Honors | Cholmondeley Poetry Prize, David Higham Memorial Prize, Katherine Mansfield Memorial Award, Welsh Arts Council Senior Fiction Award, AML Award for poetry (1996); Honorary Doctor of Letters from University of Glamorgan; Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from BYU; Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the Welsh Academy. |
| Personal Life | Married Catherine (Kitty) Morgan in 1948; the couple had one child who died in infancy; Kitty was a chemist and his second wife. |
Early Life and Education
George Leslie Norris was born on May 21, 1921, in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, to George and Mary Jane Norris. Growing up in a working-class Welsh community, Norris experienced a cheerful childhood despite the economic challenges of the era. His father, a tall, athletic man, lacked formal education due to his service in World War I, which influenced Norris’s appreciation for storytelling and resilience. As a young man, Norris developed a passion for literature, particularly poetry, inspired by the Welsh landscape and culture. At 19, he joined the Royal Air Force during World War II, initially training as an airman. However, a ground collision with another aircraft during training exercises left him injured, curtailing his active service. After the war, Norris pursued education, eventually becoming a college lecturer and schoolteacher, roles that supported him until he transitioned to full-time writing.
Leslie Norris Career
Norris’s literary career spanned poetry and short stories, earning him recognition as one of Wales’s most significant post-war writers. Until 1974, he balanced teaching with writing, serving as a college lecturer, schoolteacher, and headmaster. His early works drew heavily on his Welsh roots, with influences from poets like Dylan Thomas, whom he briefly knew and whose memorial reading he performed at Westminster Abbey in 1982. Norris’s mature career began in his forties, gaining traction among younger poets and editors for his accessible yet profound style.
His notable works include Collected Stories and Collected Poems, which garnered prestigious awards such as the Cholmondeley Poetry Prize, the David Higham Memorial Prize, the Katherine Mansfield Memorial Award, the AML Award for Poetry (1996), and the Welsh Arts Council Senior Fiction Award. In 1974, Norris shifted to full-time writing, supplemented by residencies at academic institutions in Britain and the United States. He became a Humanities Professor of Creative Writing at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah, where he influenced countless students with his gentle demeanor and insightful teaching. His poetry often explored themes of nature, memory, and human connection, while his stories captured the nuances of everyday life with emotional depth.
Leslie Norris Personal Life and Family
Norris married Catherine (Kitty) Morgan, and their partnership was marked by mutual support and shared intellectual pursuits. The couple had no children, focusing instead on their careers and travels between Britain and the United States. Norris was known for his kind and generous character, often described as a gentleman with a rich sense of humor. His love for simple pleasures, like observing hummingbirds in his garden, reflected his poetic sensibility. After moving to Utah for his BYU position, Norris and Kitty built a life that blended Welsh heritage with American experiences, maintaining close ties with friends and colleagues. Norris was private about personal matters, preferring to let his work speak for itself, and he remained relatively inactive on public platforms, focusing on in-person connections.
Leslie Norris Net Worth
Estimates of Leslie Norris’s net worth vary, with sources suggesting a range of $1 million to $4 million at the time of his death. His wealth primarily stemmed from his career as a writer, academic, and lecturer. Book sales, awards, and university salaries contributed to his financial stability, though Norris lived modestly, prioritizing creative fulfillment over material wealth. His residencies at academic institutions provided additional income, and his emeritus status at BYU ensured a comfortable retirement.
Leslie Norris Death
Leslie Norris passed away on April 6, 2006, in Provo, Utah, at the age of 84. His death was mourned by the literary and academic communities, with tributes highlighting his gentle voice, inspiring presence, and profound contributions to literature. Obituaries, including those in The Salt Lake Tribune and Daily Herald, celebrated his legacy as a poet, storyteller, and mentor. Norris’s influence endures through his published works and the students he inspired at BYU and beyond.
READ ALSO: Kompella Madhavi Latha Biography, Wikipedia, Career, Children, Husband, Family, Net Worth, Cars
FAQs
What are some of Leslie Norris’s notable works?
His notable works include Collected Stories and Collected Poems. These collections won awards like the Cholmondeley Poetry Prize, the Katherine Mansfield Memorial Award, and the AML Award for Poetry (1996).
What awards did Leslie Norris win?
Norris received the Cholmondeley Poetry Prize, David Higham Memorial Prize, Katherine Mansfield Memorial Award, AML Award for Poetry (1996), and the Welsh Arts Council Senior Fiction Award, among others.
Where did Leslie Norris teach?
Norris taught as a college lecturer and schoolteacher in Britain before becoming a Humanities Professor of Creative Writing at Brigham Young University in Utah, where he later held emeritus status.
When and where did Leslie Norris die?
Leslie Norris died on April 6, 2006, in Provo, Utah, at the age of 84.
Was Leslie Norris married?
Yes, Norris was married to Catherine (Kitty) Morgan. They had no children but shared a supportive partnership, splitting time between Britain and the United States.
What was Leslie Norris’s net worth?
His net worth was estimated to be between $1 million and $4 million, derived from his writing, teaching, and academic residencies.
How did Leslie Norris contribute to literature?
Norris contributed through his award-winning poetry and short stories, which explored themes of nature, memory, and human connection. His teaching also inspired generations of writers, particularly at BYU.
Did Leslie Norris serve in the military?
Yes, Norris joined the Royal Air Force during World War II at age 19 but was injured in a ground collision during training, limiting his active service.
Why is Leslie Norris considered a significant Welsh writer?
Norris is considered significant for his evocative portrayal of Welsh life, his lyrical poetry, and his influence on post-war Welsh literature, earning him critical acclaim and numerous awards.
