Twentieth century literature can boast few figures as brilliant, romantic and tragic as Dylan Thomas who died on 9 November, 1953, aged 39.

During his short life Mr Thomas produced some of the greatest poems of the modern age –meticulously crafted works of deep-felt emotional lyricism and stunning imagery.

He also produced fiction, short stories and a ‘play for voices’ Under Milk Wood which would cement his place among the literary greats of his or any generation.

Dylan Marlais Thomas was born in a bedroom at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, Swansea, on 27 October, 1914. His father, known as DJ, was an English teacher at Swansea Grammar School and his mother Florence was a Welsh speaker and a seamstress by trade.

From 1925 he attended Swansea Grammar School where he saw his first poem published in the school magazine. Summers spent in the idyllic surroundings of his mother’s family farm had a profound effect on the development of the young poet.

He left school at the age of 16 and began working as a reporter on the South Wales Evening Post.

In 1933 Mr Thomas’ poetry began to receive greater exposure and some, including And Death Shall Have No Dominion, were published in periodicals. One poem, submitted to the BBC, was read aloud on air.

Mr Thomas moved to London the following year and though his work was receiving praise in some quarters his reputation was more as a drunken boor than a poet. His first volume of poetry, 18 Poems, was published on 18 November, 1934.

His second volume of poetry, 25 Poems, was published in 1936 and he made his first radio broadcast, Life and the Modern Poet, the following year.

He married Irish dancer, Caitlin Macnamara, in 1937 and the following year they moved to the coastal village of Laugharne in Carmarthenshire, a location which would inspire Mr Thomas to produce some of his finest work.

Over the following years his stock as a poet continued to rise and he became particularly famous in America where he began to tour regularly. And it was in New York, November 1953, that he embarked upon the drinking binge that led to his death.

Many sources cite Mr Thomas’ last words as being: “I’ve had 18 straight whiskies; I think that’s the record.” Others say his last words were in fact: “After 39 years, this is all I’ve done.”

Mr Thomas left his widow Caitlin and three children – Llewelyn, Colm and Aeronwy. He was buried in St Martin’s Church in Laugharne, his grave marked by a simple white cross.

He also left some of the most evocative poems, including Fern Hill and Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, that have ever been produced.

Numerous festivals, arts centres and poetry awards have been named after Dylan Thomas but it is the poetry, the beautiful poetry that will stand the test of time.