Ted Hughes (1930-1998) was an English poet and children's writer. He was the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1984 until his death in 1998. He was born in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire, and studied English at Cambridge University. His first book of poetry, The Hawk in the Rain, was published in 1957 and won the Hawthornden Prize. He wrote many acclaimed works of poetry, including Crow, Birthday Letters, and Tales from Ovid. He also wrote several plays, children's books, and translations of works by other authors. His work is known for its exploration of themes such as nature, violence, and myth. He was a major influence on the British literary scene and his work continues to be widely read and studied.