The Swedish Academy named Canadian poet Anne Carson the 2026 literature laureate for work that mixes classical sources with new forms. The prize is 12 million Swedish kronor.
The Swedish Academy awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature to Canadian poet, essayist and translator Anne Carson on Thursday. The academy cited her bold and inventive work that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature. BBC and CBC both reported the citation.
Carson, 76, was born in Toronto in 1950 and lives in Michigan. She has also held Icelandic citizenship since 2022, the BBC said. CBC reported she was in Iceland, listening to the wind, when the academy reached her and that she was surprised. A Nobel official told the BBC she was taken by surprise but very happy.
Committee chair Anders Olsson said she had broken away from lyrical poetry bound to the narrative self. The BBC listed works including The Glass Essay, Autobiography of Red, Nox, Float and The Beauty of the Husband. The prize is 12 million Swedish kronor, about 1.2 million dollars, the BBC reported.
The Guardian said she will receive the medal and diploma in Stockholm in December. The award is for a body of work, not a single book.
The announcement is the academy's decision. It is not a new publication by Carson.
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- Anders Olsson said Carson had broken away from lyrical poetry bound to the narrative self.
- A Nobel official said she was surprised but very happy.
- CBC reported she was in Iceland listening to the wind when contacted.