Lauris Dorothy Edmond

1924-2000 / New Zealand

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Lauris Dorothy Edmond

1924-2000 / New Zealand

New Zealand poet Lauris Dorothy Edmond was born at Dannevirke in 1924. In her autobiography she spoke of having lived "two lives". Recollections of growing up in an unconventional home, war-time experiences, becoming a mother to six children, working as a school teacher and speech therapist, are followed by a description of her "second life" - as a poet of international renown. Edmond came to poetry late in life. Her first volume was published when she was 51. In Middle Air went on to be awarded the 1975 PEN Best First Book Award. She produced eleven collections of poetry in all and also wrote three volumes of autobiography. In Hot October, Bonfires in the Rain and The Quick World she spoke up for women who had felt forced to bury their own creativity in order to live a life of domesticity. According to one tribute: "Her poetry demonstrated an awareness of loss and grief, set against the savouring of the present. Death was a common theme, as were love, friendship, family and ageing." Among her many awards was a Katherine Mansfield Memorial Fellowship in 1981 and the Commonwealth Poetry Prize in 1985. She was made an OBE for services to poetry and literature in 1986. In 1999, she received a lifetime achievement award at the Montana New Zealand book awards. Edmond died of a heart attack in her home in Wellington on 28th January 2000.