Benjamin Zephaniah was a celebrated British poet, author and playwright who regularly appeared on the period crime drama “Peaky Blinders.”
- Died: December 7, 2023 (Who else died on December 7?)
- Details of death: Died of a brain tumor at the age of 65.
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Benjamin Zephaniah’s legacy
Birmingham, England-born Zephaniah was dyslexic; by the age of 13, he still could not read or write. The gift of an old manual typewriter, however, changed the course of his life, inspiring him to learn despite his difficulties. By 15, his poetry was already known in the local community. Wanting to reach a broader audience, he moved to London at 22.
His first book of poetry, “Pen Rhythm,” was published in 1980. Over a dozen others followed, often confronting such social and political issues as the British legal system, colonialism, and cultural diversity. His first of five novels, “Face,” came out in 1999.
Zephaniah was an occasional actor and musician, too. His 1982 album, “Rasta,” featured the first music recorded by the Wailers since the death of Bob Marley and was the first of several albums he released. He also appeared on several television shows, most notably in a recurring role as Jeremiah “Jimmy” Jesus on the British period crime drama “Peaky Blinders.”
Zephaniah was an outspoken activist who celebrated several causes, including animal rights, veganism, and antiracism. He spoke out against British colonialism – he rejected an appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire – and homophobia in Jamaica. Zephaniah won the BBC Young Playwright’s Award, was awarded honorary doctorates from more than a half-dozen universities, and he was named one of Britain’s 50 greatest postwar writers by The Times.
Notable quote
“You cannot force poetry, you cannot.”—from a 2009 Interview for The Guardian
Tributes to Benjamin Zephaniah
Full obituary: BBC
