Benjamin Zephaniah

DR BENJAMIN OBADIAH IQBAL ZEPHANIAH was born and raised in Birmingham, England. He began performing poetry in his early teenage years, and left school aged 13. Benjamin Zephaniah published his first book, Pen Rhythm, at the age of 22 and over the next four decades, he wrote 13 poetry collections, six novels, five children’s books and seven plays. His first book of poetry for children, Talking Turkeys, went to the top of the children’s book list and stayed there for months. He has sixteen honorary doctorates and the Eailing Hospital in west London has named a wing after him in recognition of his work. Benjamin was passionate about issues that were both global and local, and his work focused on themes such as human rights and protecting the environment. He was widely considered to be among the first poets to address the climate crisis.

Benjamin is the author of Leave the Trees, Please.