James Kirkup R.I.P.

SOUTH Shields-born poet James Kirkup, whose work earned him an international reputation, has died.
Mr Kirkup, who was 91, passed away at the weekend in hospital in Andorra where he had made his home for many years. He’s believed to have suffered a stroke.

Mr Kirkup, who was born and raised in Cockburn Street, on The Lawe, was known around the world as a prolific poet, translator, travel writer, and the author of several volumes of autobiography.

His close friend in South Tyneside, Dorothy Fleet, said: “He had been getting increasingly frail and had become virtually housebound, but he was still working and creative.”

Details of funeral arrangements have yet to be announced
Taken from Shields Gazette
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/Internationally-acclaimed-poet-dies.5253830.jp

Memorial Event Planned
See Gazette article
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/Memorial-event-for-man-of.5256245.jp

Other responses to the death of James Kirkup
The Lasting Tribute Blog
http://lastingtribute.blogspot.com/2009/05/james-kirkup-poet-who-dared-to-speak-of.html

The Newcastle Journal
http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2009/05/12/tribute-to-james-kirkup-a-poet-and-academic-61634-23597467/

Jahsonic Blog
http://jahsonic.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/rip-james-kirkup-1918-2009/

The Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/books-obituaries/5314221/James-Kirkup.html

Times On Line
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article6275318.ece

Poetry & Poets In Rags Blog
http://poetryandpoetsinrags.blogspot.com/2009/05/poetic-obituaries-shields-born-poet.html

The Literary Saloon Blog
http://www.complete-review.com/saloon/archive/200905b.htm#ma9

The Guardian May 16th
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/may/16/obituary

alt.obituaries
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.obituaries/browse_thread/thread/d7ba2bd86348ca9d

the Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/james-kirkup-poet-author-and-translator-who-also-wrote-approximately-300-obituaries-for-the-independent-1685745.html