Norris, Leslie, 1921-2006

Kitty Norris (1920-2008) was an educator in the United Kingdom and Utah. She was married to the Welsh poet Leslie Norris.

Catherine Mary Morgan (Kitty) Norris was born on April 19, 1920 in Dowlais, Wales. She graduated with a degree in Chemistry before eventually changing professions and gaining several education degrees. Norris then worked in administration and teaching.

She married Leslie Norris in 1948 and remained married to him until his passing in 2006. They lived in several places in the United Kingdom for teaching jobs, before coming to the United States for her husband's job. When her husband began teaching at Brigham Young University, Norris also taught classes at the school before eventually retiring. She passed away in 2008 while still living in Orem, Utah.

Leslie Norris (1921-2006) was a Welsh poet and professor in Utah. He worked at Brigham Young University in Provo.

Leslie Norris was born in Methyr Tydfil, Wales on May 21, 1921. Leslie grew up in Wales during the Depression and enjoyed a number of sports as well as reading. During World War II he was in the Royal Air Force before being discharged due to a training accident. Eventually he attended college at the City of Coventry College of Education and the University of Southampton. From there he began teaching, and would eventually become a Principal in West Sussex. This began a lifelong love of teaching.

Leslie Norris was married to Catherine Mary Morgan in July 1948, and they remained married until his passing in 2006. They had no children, but were very active in their communities and had numerous friends.

In 1958, Leslie began teaching at the University level in Sussex. Later he would teach at the University of Washington as a visiting professor, became the resident poet at Eton College, and was a visiting professor at a number of universities before coming to Brigham Young University (BYU), where he remained for the rest of his career. His teaching served as a great catalyst for budding writers, and Norris was often sent work by others who were seeking advice. Even after retiring from teaching, he remained the Poet in Residence at BYU. In addition to teaching Norris was a prolific writer, predominantly in poetry with which he published several volumes of poetry. He was also adept at writing short stories, and has published numerous stories, including several volumes of his stories. He would also write biographies, reviews and translations, and altogether published over twenty books, including several children's books. He was given numerous awards and honors for his writing, as well as his continuous support and love for arts and humanities. Norris was frequently involved in various literary events, especially readings.

Leslie Norris passed away in Provo, Utah on April 6, 2006.

From the guide to the Leslie Norris papers, 1921-2008, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)