Benjamin Zephaniah (1958-2023) was a British poet, writer and actor.

Benjamin Zephaniah was born in Handsworth, Birmingham. He left school at age 14. He was spent time in a youth detention centre, and later in prison.

Zephaniah moved to London in 1979 and his first collection of poems, Pen Rhythm, was published. He performed at demonstrations, protesting against racism and the British ‘justice’ system.

He published The Dread Affair in 1985 and Rasta Time in Palestine in 1990, the latter combining poetry and travelogue after a trip to Palestine.

Zephaniah continued publishing his poetry through the 1990s, becoming known as a ‘dub poet’, and he also wrote several novels including Refugee Boy (2001). His autobiography, The Life and Thymes of Benjamin Zephaniah, was published in 2018.

Benjamin Zephaniah also had many acting appearances over the years, from minor roles in shows such as EastEnders (1993) to playing preacher Jeremiah “Jimmy” Jesus in Peaky Blinders between 2013 and 2022.

Benjamin Zephaniah died on 7 December 2023 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour 8 weeks previously.