Malcolm Guite, The Story Teller

Malcolm Guite is a modern-day polymath—an Anglican priest, Cambridge scholar, and rock musician who has gained international acclaim for reviving the sonnet as a tool for spiritual discovery.

 Born in Ibadan, Nigeria in 1957, his life began with a dramatic birth that earned him the middle name Ayodeji ("the second joy"), bestowed by a local nurse. After a childhood spent in Nigeria and Canada, he moved to England, eventually studying English Literature at Pembroke College, Cambridge and earning a PhD from Durham University.

Guite’s career is defined by what he calls a "baptized imagination." Following his ordination in 1990, he spent two decades as the Chaplain and Bye-Fellow of Girton College, Cambridge. His academic work often bridges the gap between theology and the arts, drawing deep inspiration from the Inklings (C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien) and Romantic poets like Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

As a writer, Guite is perhaps best known for Sounding the Seasons, a collection of sonnets that journeys through the Christian liturgical year, and David’s Crown, a poetic response to every Psalm. Yet, his creative life isn't confined to the pulpit or the library; he is also the frontman for the blues-rock band Mystery Train.

In recognition of his ability to make the Gospels accessible through poetry, he was awarded the Lanfranc Award in 2023. Today, he remains a prolific voice in the Church Times and through his popular personal blog, continuing to explore how beauty and faith intertwine.

If you enjoy Malcolm Guite check out his YouTube channel.

https://youtube.com/@malcolmguitespell?si=uqPessxzOMf9q1oo