Brian Patten, renowned Liverpool poet, dies aged 79
We are sad to announce the death of beloved RCW client Brian Patten, who passed away peacefully in hospital on 29th September 2025, aged 79, with his wife Linda by his side.
Born in Liverpool in 1946, Patten came to prominence as one of the Liverpool poets who published The Mersey Sound poetry anthology in 1967, alongside Adrian Henri and Roger McGough. From his early days editing and publishing the magazine underdog, which gave a platform to Liverpool’s underground poets, to living rough in Paris (paying his way by writing poems in coloured chalk on the pavements beside the city’s pavement artists), Brian became a titan of twentieth century poetry.
Amongst his many collections were Vanishing Trick and Armada, which included some of his most striking poems, focusing on the death of his mother and his memories of childhood. Penguin published his Selected Poems and Harper Perennial one of his most important books, The Collected Love Poems.
Brian was honoured with the Freedom of the City of Liverpool and was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, as well as Liverpool University, John Moores University and The Open University.
His longstanding agent, Gill Coleridge, said: "I always remember my first meeting with Brian, in the early 1980s – in a pub in Holborn, where he regaled me with witty stories and made me cry with laugher – he was one of my first clients at Anthony Sheil Associates and then followed me to RCW. Representing Brian was never dull – he was without doubt one of the kindest and amusing and original of his gloriously talented generation. He had a razor sharp mind and a real talent for fabulous poetry and children’s books. Gargling with Jelly and Juggling with Gerbils are just two of his wonderful collections of children’s verse. And his superb children’s novel Mr Moon’s Last Case and then The Story Giant (with Chris Riddell) are books to be treasured by any young reader. He had a fabulous relationship with Jane Johnson at Harper Collins, his editor for decades, and she managed to prise many wonderful books of poetry out of him. He will be missed by all who knew him and by the many hundreds of children who have loved his books. We send our deepest condolences to his lovely wife Linda, his companion and muse for over 30 years."
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