Fanthorpe, U. A. (1929-2009), a British poet, was noted for the natural, conversational style of her poetry as well as her touches of irony and dark humor. Her books of verse include Side-Effects (1978), Four Dogs (1980), Standing To (1982), Voices Off (1984), The Crystal Zoo (1985) written for children, a selection of collected poems (1986), A Watching Brief (1987), Neck Verse (1992), Painting and Poets (1995), and Safe as Houses (1995).
Ursula Askham Fanthorpe was born on July 22, 1929, in London. She was educated at Oxford University, receiving a B.A. degree in 1953 and an M.A. degree in 1956. She also earned a diploma in 1954 from the University of London Institute of Education. Fanthorpe worked as a teacher from 1954 to 1970 before becoming a hospital reception clerk in Bristol from 1974 to 1983 and again from 1985 to 1989. Her experiences as a hospital clerk influenced much of her poetry. Fanthorpe died on April 28, 2009.
