Jean Marian Stevens

Jean Marian Stevens
Born
Jean Marian Baxter

(1928-07-27)27 July 1928
Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom
Died21 March 2022(2022-03-21) (aged 93)
United Kingdom
EducationHockerill Teacher Training College, 1948
Occupations
  • Poet
  • writer
  • playwright
  • teacher
Writing career
LanguageEnglish
Notable awards
  • Marjorie Bowen Award
    1949, 1950
  • Julia Cairns Salver for Poetry
    1974, 1991, 1996
  • Dacorum Poet of the year
    1974

Jean Marian Stevens (née Baxter; 1928–2022) was a British poet, writer, playwright and teacher.

Early life and education

Jean Marian Stevens was born on the 27 July 1928 in Newport Pagnell. Stevens grew up in Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead and attended the then Hemel Hempstead Grammar School.

Stevens was educated at Hockerill Teacher Training College, a former Church of England teacher training college for women, in Bishop Stortford. In 1948, Steven's graduated with a specialism in teaching English and Religious studies.

Career

From 1948–1956, Stevens was a teacher in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

In 1949, Stevens' won the Marjorie Bowen Award at the Society of Women Writers and Journalists Literary Festival. Stevens won again in 1950 and joined the Society the same year.

Stevens served on the Society's Council as Poetry Representative from 1980 to 2000, Chairman from 1983 to 1985, Vice-President, as well as Acting Secretary and Competitions Coordinator.

Two of Steven's works Led by kingfishers and Impressions : collected poems are held in the National Poetry Library.

Awards

Steven's was awarded the Society of Women Writers and Journalists Julia Cairns Salver for Poetry in 1974, 1991 and 1996. In 1974, Stevens won the Dacorum Poet of the year.

Personal life

In 1954, Stevens married David Stevens (1929–2019) and together have 3 children. Stevens died on World Poetry Day 2022 aged 93.

Publications

Poetry

  • Stevens, Jean Marian (1980). Led by kingfishers. Walton-on-Thames: Outposts Publications.
  • Stevens, Jean Marian (1989). "Starling Song". In Lewis-Smith, Anne; Morland, Nicola (eds.). ENVOI SUMMER ANTHOLOGY. Pen Ffordd: Envoi Poets. p. 96. ISBN 0948478 50 0.
  • Stevens, Jean Marian (1992). "Fritillaries". In Walton, Rachael (ed.). Spring Bouquet. Peterborough: Arrival Press. p. 92. ISBN 1-85786-100-0.
  • Smith, John Owen, ed. (1994). Anthology of the Phoenix Poets: Commemorative Edition 1972-94. ISBN 1-873855-10-9.
  • Stevens, Jean Marian (2000). "Battle Honours". In Ashby, Gwynneth; Bowden, Jean; Cross, Beryl; Marshall, Fay (eds.). Tessellation. London; Haywards Heath: Society of Women Writers & Journalists; Gemini Publications. p. 15.
  • Stevens, Jean Marian (2002). Impressions : collected poems. St. Albans: Penna Press. ISBN 0950411388.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Stevens, Jean Marian". LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies. Washington, D.C.: The Library of Congress. 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Shields, M. J., ed. (1993). "STEVENS Jean Marian". International Who's Who In Poetry and Poets Encyclopedia (7 ed.). Cambridge, England: Melrose Press Ltd. p. 327. ISBN 0948875011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Kent, Sylvia (2009). The Woman Writer: The History of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. Brimscombe Port, Stroud: The History Press. ISBN 0752451596.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Goatly, The Reverend Canon Dr Ruth (2022). "Celebrating the Life of Jean Marian Stevens". St. John's Parish Magazine (June). Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead: The Parish of Boxmoor: 20–22. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  5. ↑ Taylor, Polly; Bullock, Harriet (2008). "JEAN STEVENS (NÉE BAXTER)". Hemel at War. Hemel Hempstead: The Hemel Hempstead School. Archived from the original on 27 June 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  6. ↑ "Hockerill Training College". The National Archives' Website: Discovery. Kew, Richmond, Greater London: The National Archives. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  7. ↑ "Led by kingfishers". National Poetry Library online catalogue: OPAC Discovery. London: National Poetry Library. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  8. ↑ "Impressions : collected poems". National Poetry Library online catalogue: OPAC Discovery. London: National Poetry Library. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  9. ↑ Ashby, Gwynneth; Bowden, Jean; Cross, Beryl; Marshall, Fay, eds. (2000). Tessellation. London; Haywards Heath: Society of Women Writers & Journalists; Gemini Publications.
  10. ↑ "OUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR: those whose Years mind is this fortnight: 21 August – 3 September" (PDF). The Parish of Boxmoor Newsletter (3899). Hemel Hempstead: The Parish of Boxmoor, St John's Boxmoor: 1. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2025.