Seamus Heaney – Irish Poet Dies At 74

RIP Seamus Heaney. The 1995 winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature died at a hospital in Dublin on Friday after a short illness, according to a statement issued on behalf of his family. He was 74.

In a statement, Faber & Faber, which published his work for nearly 50 years, called him “one of the world’s greatest writers. His impact on literary culture is immeasurable.”

Born April 13, 1939, on a farm in County Derry, Mr. Heaney gained prominence in the 1960s after his debut with the “Death of a Naturalist.” His volumes of poetry include “The Spirit Level,” “District and Circle” and “Bog Poems.”

On Twitter, Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: “Very shocked & deeply saddened to hear that Seamus Heaney, Derry man, poet & Nobel Laureate has died. My thoughts & prayers with Marie & family.”

He is survived by his wife, Marie, and his children, Christopher, Michael and Catherine Ann.