Nigel Jenkins
The literary world is mourning one of Wales’ finest writers, Nigel Jenkins, who died in the early hours of January 28 at the age of 64.
Associate Professor Jenkins was director of Swansea University’s Masters programme in creative writing, on which he had taught since 2003.
He was a prize-winning poet and writer of creative non-fiction, as well as being a journalist, editor and broadcaster.
Nigel Jenkins was brought up on a farm on the Gower and lived in Mumbles, Swansea. He captured his love of the area in his books Real Swansea (Seren Books, 2008) , Real Swansea 2, and Gower (Gomer, 2009).
The Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Davies said: “Nigel’s commanding presence was felt in the University far beyond his own department. For example, he wrote a graduation day celebration poem which has become an integral part of our graduation ceremonies. When he read the poem himself, it became a riveting drama.”
The novelist Professor Stevie Davies, co-founder of the Swansea Creative Writing MA, described Nigel Jenkins as “an inspirational teacher, an outstanding writer and a true friend to authors, poets, dramatists and artists of all kinds throughout and beyond Wales.
“He was much loved by staff and students present and past, and we shall miss him greatly.”
Nigel Jenkins was co-editor of The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales (University of Wales Press, 2008). He won the Arts Council of Wales 1996 Book of the Year prize with his travel book Gwalia in Khasia.
His many works of poetry and prose include:
- Remember Tomorrow (Beekman, 1997)
- Ambush (Gomer Press, 1998)
- Footsore on the Frontier – Selected Essays and Articles (Gomer Press, 2001)
- Through the Green Door: Travels among the Khasis (Penguin, 2001)
- Blue (Planet, 2002)
- Hotel Gwales (Gomer Press, 2006)
- O For a Gun (Planet, 2007)
In 1997, he presented the BBC Wales TV programme Kardomah Boys, about Dylan Thomas and his fellow Swansea artists.
As a lecturer and tutor he worked for many organisations including Trinity College, Carmarthen, the Workers’ Educational Association, and Tŷ Newydd, the National Writers’ centre for Wales in Gwynedd.
Nigel Jenkins died in Ty Olwen hospice after a short illness.
A fuller obituary, and details of his funeral, will follow.
