Canadian poet, essayist and classicist Anne Carson has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature, recognising a body of work that draws on classical traditions while pushing the boundaries of contemporary literature. The Swedish Academy announced the award on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
Carson was recognised for her “bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature”. The award acknowledges her distinctive approach to writing, which brings together poetry, prose, translation and classical scholarship.
