The Enemies

(1926-2001) was born in Lincolnshire but moved to Oxford at the age of six where she lived for the rest of her life. She studied at St Anne's College, Oxford and worked in advertising, at the City Library, and briefly in publishing before becoming a full-time writer. Her consistent devotion to poetry yielded over twenty books during her life, a New Collected Poems appearing in 2002. Although initially linked to the group of poets including Kingsley Amis, Philip Larkin, and Thom Gunn known as “The Movement”, Jennings' work doesn't share their irony or academic wit. An important theme is her Catholicism and many of her poems have a devotional aspect. Her intense musing on spirituality encouraged a sensitivity towards others, evident in the pained tenderness of some of her poems. Jennings' sincere and scrupulous work gradually built both critical acclaim that weathered changes in poetic fashion, and a genuine popularity. Among the many honours awarded her work are the W. H. Smith Literary Award, the Somerset Maugham Award, and a CBE.