Dannie Abse

Dannie Abse CBE was born in Cardiff in 1923.  A beloved poet, novelist, playwright, and memoirist, he published sixteen volumes of poetry over the course of his life, which he juggled alongside a career in medicine.

Dannie was an enthusiast and advocate for literature especially poetry and the people who create it. He reviewed and edited many books and was seminal in the development of Welsh writing in English through his chair of the Welsh Academy and as part of the founding team of the publisher Poetry Press Wales, known as Seren Books. Seren’s first office was housed in the garage of his house at Ogmore-by-Sea. He regularly travelled throughout the UK and internationally to read from his work. He served on many boards and chaired several societies in a long career of engagement and support. He was awarded a CBE for services to poetry and literature in 2012. He died in 2014.

Parthian Books will re-issue four titles in 2026; ASK THE MOON, THE PRESENCE, GOODBYE, TWENTIETH CENTURY and ASH ON A YOUNG MAN’S SLEEVE.