BORN	9 August 1922 in Coventry [This was the same year as Kingsley Amis and Donald Davis who were later associated with him in the group that came to be known as 'the Movement' - the dominant literary voice of the 1950's]
DIED	2 December 1985 of cancer of the oesophagus
FAMILY	The only son and younger child of Sydney and Eva Larkin. Sydney was City Treasurer of Coventry 1922-44; he died from cancer in 1948 at the age of 63. Eva lived to be 91 and died on 17 November 1977. The family lived in Coventry 1922-40
1930-40	King Henry VIII School, Coventry Contributed regularly to 'The Coventrian', the school magazine, including 'Winter Nocturne' in December 1938
1939-40	Joint Editor of 'The Coventrian'
1940-43	St Johns College, Oxford Failed his army eyesight test and was therefore able to complete his degree uninterrupted. Graduated with a First Class Honours degree in English in 1943
1940	First poem 'Ultimatum' published in a national weekly 'The Listener' [28 November]
1943	Three of his poems were included in 'Oxford Poetry 1942-43'
1943	After graduating returned to his parents' new home in Warwick to search for a job. Failed twice to enter the Civil Service. Eventually in November he was appointed to the post of Librarian at Wellington, Shropshire
1945	Ten poems were included in 'Poetry from Oxford in Wartime'. 'The North Ship', a collection of poems, published. Novel, 'Jill', completed
1946	'Jill' published - this novel follows a young scholarship boy from the North of England through his first term at Oxford. The novel, like 'The North Ship', attracts little attention
1946	Moved to a new job as Assistant Librarian at the University College of Leicester. He completed his course of professional studies and became an Associate of the Library Association in 1949
1947	'A Girl in Winter', a novel, published by Faber. This was written to reflect his experiences as a Librarian. It attracts several favourable reviews
1948	Second poetry collection, 'In the Grip of Light', published. Does not do well
1950	In October he became Sub-Librarian at Queen's University, Belfast, where his duties involved the supervision of 18 staff
1951	A small collection, 'XX Poems', was privately printed and sent to critics. All were ignored
1954	'Pamphlet 21' containing five of his poems published by the Fantasy Press. Other poems published elsewhere inluding 'Toads' and 'Poetry of Departures' in 'Listen'
1955	Appointed Librarian to the University of Hull - commenced work on 21 March 1955
1955	Larkin’s third collection of poems, 'The Less Deceived', published in October - finally establishes Larkin amongst the front rank of modern British poets
1964	Larkin’s next poetry collection, 'The Whitsun Weddings', published - receives wide acclaimed and in 1965 he received the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry
1965	Receives the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry
1970	'All What Jazz: a record diary 1961-1968' published - a compilation of his monthly record reviews for The Daily Telegraph
1970-71	Holds a visiting fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford
1973	'The Oxford Book of Twentieth Century English Verse', prepared by Larkin, published
1973	Sales of 'The Less Deceived' reach 10,000
1974	Larkin's last collection of his own poetry, 'High Windows', published - consolidates his reputation
1975	Receives the CBE
1976	Receives the German Shakespeare-Preis
1977	Chairman of the Booker Prize Panel
1977	'Aubade', his last great poem, appeared in the Times Literary Supplement in December
1978	Made Companion of Literature
1980	Made an Honorary Fellow by The Library Association
1980-82	Served on the Literature Panel of the Arts Council
1982	Made a Professor by the University of Hull
1983	'Required Writing: miscellaneous pieces 1955-1982', a collection of literary criticism, interviews and jazz criticism, published in November. This becomes a best-seller and wins the WH Smith Literary Award for 1984
1984	Elected to the Board of the British Library, but declined to succeed Sir John Betjeman as Poet Laureate, being unwilling to accept the level of media attention associated with the position
1984	Receives an honorary doctorate from Oxford University
1985	Admitted to hospital with an illness in his throat. No more information was disclosed by the hospital
1985	Awarded the Order of the Companion of Honour in June - unable to receive personally owing to illness
1985	Moved to the intensive care ward at Hull Royal Infirmary. Died 2 December of cancer of the oesophagus, aged 63
1988	Larkin's 'Collected Poems', which also included many of his previously unpublished pieces, published in October - immediately becomes a best-seller
1992	Larkin's 'Selected Letters' published in October - proves to be the literary event of the year

RELATED LINKS