John Montague was born on February 28, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Irish immigrants, and he spent his early childhood years in the bustling city before moving back to Ireland during the Great Depression era. It was in his family's native land that Montague would find his true calling as a poet.
Montague's passion for literature and poetry led him to pursue a career in academia. He studied at University College Dublin and later went on to teach at Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and Queen's University Belfast. His love for teaching and sharing his knowledge of poetry with young minds was evident in his role as a poetry professor.
Montague married twice in his lifetime. His first marriage was to fellow Fulbright scholar Madeleine Montague, with whom he shared a deep connection and love for the arts. After their marriage ended, Montague found love again with Evelyn Robson. In addition to his marriages, he also had a romantic relationship with writer Elizabeth Wassell, further showcasing his passion for love and creativity.
Montague was a prolific poet whose works are still celebrated today. His best-known works, including "A Slow Dance" and "The Dead Kingdom," showcase his mastery of language and his ability to evoke deep emotions through his poetry. He was also the first recipient of the Ireland Chair of Poetry honor, a prestigious title that solidified his place in Irish literary history.
During his time living in Paris in the early 1960s, Montague had the opportunity to meet and befriend renowned playwright Samuel Beckett. This meeting would prove to be a pivotal moment in Montague's life, as Beckett's influence and friendship would inspire him in his own literary pursuits.
John Montague's legacy as a poet and educator continues to inspire aspiring writers and scholars around the world. His dedication to the craft of poetry and his ability to capture the complexity of the human experience through his words have solidified his place as one of Ireland's most esteemed modernist poets.
Though he may no longer be with us, John Montague's impact on the world of literature and poetry lives on through his timeless works and the generations of students he taught and inspired during his tenure as a respected professor of poetry.