Benjamin Zephaniah

Benjamin Zephaniah (1958–2023) was a British-Jamaican writer, poet, musician and actor. Born in Birmingham, he began writing at the age of eleven and published his first poetry collection at 22. He became particularly known for his poetry and his books for children and young adults, and wrote more than 30 books in total. He also wrote novels, screenplays and plays and worked in radio and television. His poetry show “Life & Rhymes” won the 2021 BAFTA for Best Entertainment Programme. In 2008, The Times included him among the 50 greatest British writers of the postwar period.