Anne Carson wins 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature

Canadian poet and essayist Anne Carson has won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature for what the Swedish Academy called her “bold and inventive oeuvre” that engages playfully with the classical tradition and has created new forms for contemporary literature.

Carson, 76, is known for combining poetry, prose, dialogue, translation and literary criticism. Drawing heavily on ancient Greek and Roman literature, her works include *Eros the Bittersweet*, the verse novel *Autobiography of Red*, *Men in the Off Hours* and *Norma Jeane Baker of Troy*, which connects the stories of Marilyn Monroe and Helen of Troy.

Academy permanent secretary Ingrid Carlberg said Carson was in Iceland “listening to the wind” when she received the news. Speaking afterward to Icelandic broadcaster RÚV, Carson called the academy members “crazy” for choosing her and joked that her books would now receive a Nobel sticker. RÚV reported that Carson has spent part of each year in Iceland for more than 15 years and holds Icelandic citizenship.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the award a proud moment for Canada, praising Carson’s wit, imagination and distinctive style. The prize carries 12 million Swedish kronor, about $1.2 million, and Carson is scheduled to receive it from King Carl XVI Gustaf in Stockholm on Dec. 10.