Guest of the ilb 2001
James Fenton was born in Lincoln, England, in 1949.
He studied Psychology and Philosophy at Oxford. As a
student he received the Newdigate Prize for his first poetry
collection, 'Our Western Furniture', in 1968. A year later he
went public with his second poetry volume, 'Put Thou Thy Tears Into My
Bottle'. He began his career as a journalist with the 'New
Statesman' writing on politics and literature. His long-time
occupation as freelance Indochina correspondent had a lasting effect on
his work. He also spent a year in Germany as a reporter for the
'Guardian'. During this time he wrote several works, including
the poem 'A German Requiem' (1980), which won the Southern Arts
Literature Award for Poetry.
Fenton was theatre critic for 'The Sunday Times' for five years, chief
reviewer for 'The Times' from 1984 to 1986, Southeast Asia
correspondent from 1986 to 1988 and columnist for 'The Independent'
until 1995. He contributed regularly to the 'New York Review of
Books'. In 1983 the Royal Society of Literature appointed Fenton
a fellow. During his tenure as Poetry professor at Oxford from
1994 to 1999 Fenton wrote 'Essays on Arts and Artists', which was
published in 1999 under the title 'Leonardo’s Nephew'. 'The
Strength of Poetry', a volume of essays on English lyric poetry of the
20th century, was published in 2001.
Fenton is also a controversial librettist. His adaptation of
Verdi’s 'Rigoletto' set in the Mafia world of the 1950s, for example,
provoked a stir. As a lyric poet, Fenton is inspired by W.H.
Auden. In 'Our Western Furniture', an anti-imperialist commentary
on commodore Perry’s mission in Japan, he demonstrated his ability as a
satirist. This first collection of sonnets later became one of
the most controversial parts of his comprehensive poetry collection,
'Terminal Moraine', which received rave reviews due to its varied
styles and unconventional perspectives. However, his strong
emphasis on technical virtuosity was sometimes criticized.
During his time abroad, Fenton expressed his personal experiences with
more emotion. His war poems convey feelings of sorrow and
hopelessness, without suppressing his satirical tendencies and
linguistic mastery. In 'A German Requiem', Fenton presents a
laconic, formal examination of collective memory in postwar
Germany. In 'Dead Soldiers' he embeds his bitterly humorous
commentary in the description of a feast held on a battlefield.
'A Notebook' and 'Children in Exile' are empathic descriptions of his
travels to Cambodia and the marks they left on him. 'Manila
Envelope' (1989), consisting of 13 letters, documents Fenton’s stay in
the Philippines. In his poetry volume, 'Out of Danger' the poet
chooses a snappier style and fewer serious subjects, which critics say
appeals to a younger audience. In 2006 his 'Selected Poems' were
published.
© international literature festival berlin
James Fenton online: www.jamesfenton.com | 
