Today in history

• 1374

  Geoffrey Chaucer – Chaucer was given the job of comptroller of customs for the port of London, a post he would remain in for the next 12 years. [London, United Kingdom]

• 1809

  Thomas Paine – On June the 8th, 1809 Thomas Paine passes away at the age of 72 in New York [New York, United States of America]

• 1889

  Gerard Manley Hopkins – Hopkins caught typhus and died in 1889 and was buried at Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin. He was just 44 years old. [Dublin, Ireland]

• 1927

  Marcus Garvey – On June the 8th 1927 Malcolm X's father, Earl Little, a follower of Garvey, appeals to President Coolidge for Garvey's release [New York, United States]

• 1957

  Richard Brautigan – Brautigan married Virginia Dionne Alder in Reno in 1957. They would have one daughter but Brautigan's dependence on alcohol would lead him to become increasingly abusive. The couple separated in 1962 but would not divorce until 1970. [Reno, Nevada, United States]

Featured news

O’Hara Prize / Griffin Prize / Milk Wood Memoir – Poetry News Roundup June 5th

This week's poetry news round up takes a look at the winners of the Frank O’Hara Prize and the Griffin Poetry Prize. We also look at Milk Wood Memoir.  Winner of 2026 Frank O’Hara Prize Announced The poet Maia Campbell, who publishes using the name M. Campbell has been announced as the 2026 Frank O'Hara Prize winner. The contest judge chose her poem "apologia poetica" from a pool ...

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