Benjamin Zephaniah: University tribute to 'one-man national grid' poet

De Montfort University awarded Benjamin Zephaniah an honorary doctor of letters in 2015

A tribute has been paid to poet and campaigner Benjamin Zephaniah by a university that gave him an honorary degree.

De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester awarded Mr Zephaniah, who died on Thursday aged 65, an honorary doctor of letters in 2015.

Simon Perril, DMU's professor of poetic practice, said: "No-one who met Benjamin was quite the same afterwards.

"He was a one-man national grid emitting constant energy."

Mr Zephaniah was a Visiting Fellow at DMU for many years, regularly meeting staff and students to discuss creative writing.

'Writers-amongst-writers'

Mr Perril said: "He was also quite simply a lovely man whose ethical commitments and dynamism were matched by his grace and good humour.

"Benjamin anecdotes would fill a book - and it would be a very characterful book.

"But also something to learn from; in terms of how a creative life can (and should) be an act of patient service.

"When students thronged in DMU corridors wanting to catch a snap with the man, they were writers-amongst-writers - he made them feel, and know, that.

"In his lectures he instilled a sense of vocation and self-belief anchored in the joy of creative making."

Mr Zephaniah was a regular visitor to the university and spent time with students

He added: "We send out deepest sympathy to Benjamin's family; and want them to know how highly he was valued as writer, performer - and as the most wonderfully human of human beings."

Joyce Frank, administration manager in the arts, design and humanities faculty, said: "He used to mentor my cousin.

"He remembered visiting my uncle's house which was about four doors away from where we used to live. Small world."