John Birtwhistle

John Birtwhistle (born 1946) is an English poet whose subject-matter is often political, cultural, or historical. He won an Eric Gregory Award from the Society of Authors in 1975. He was a university lecturer in English until retirement. Some of his early work was translated by Ştefan Augustin Doinaş and published in Romanian. His 1996 libretto for The Fabulous Adventures of Alexander the Great by composer David Blake was translated into Greek.

Publications

 * The Conversion to Oil of the Lots Road London Transport Power Station, and Other Poems (London: Anvil Press, 1972) ISBN 0900977361
 * Vision of Wat Tyler (Etchings and calligraphy by Graham Clarke. Boughton Monchelsea, Kent: Ebenezer Press, 1972) ISBN not available
 * Haysaving: a Connemara Journal (Maidstone/Boughton Monchelsea, Kent: Trembling Hand Press/Ebenezer Press, 1975) ISBN 0905038002
 * Tidal Models (London: Anvil Press, 1980) ISBN 0856460524
 * Our Worst Suspicions (London: Anvil Press, 1985) ISBN 0856461316. A Poetry Book Society recommendation
 * The Plumber's Gift. Opera in Two Acts (music by David Blake. Performed by English National Opera at the London Coliseum 1989. London: Novello, 1988)
 * A Selection of Poems (London: Anvil Press, 1989) ISBN 0856462152
 * The Griffin's Tale. Legend for Baritone and Orchestra (Libretto for music by David Blake. York: University of York Music Press, 1994) ISMN M570200771
 * The Fabulous Adventures of Alexander the Great (Libretto for music by David Blake. York: University of York Music Press, 1996) ISMN 570200733
 * Rings of Jade. Poems from the Prison Diaries of Ho Chi Minh (For music for medium voice and orchestra by David Blake. York: University of York Music Press, 2005) ISMN M570208357
 * A Swallow (song for soprano set by David Blake. York: University of York Music Press, 2008) ISMN M570360437