Canadian poet, essayist and classicist Anne Carson won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday, the Swedish Academy announced in Stockholm. The 76-year-old Toronto-born writer was honored “for her bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature,” according to the academy’s citation .
Carson’s work spans poetry, translation, fiction and visual art, often blending ancient Greek and Roman themes with modern narratives. Notable titles include *Autobiography of Red: A Novel in Verse* (1998), which reimagines the myth of Geryon, and *Nox* (2010), an accordion-fold elegy for her brother combining text, photographs and translation .
Ingrid Carlberg, the academy’s permanent secretary, said Carson was “taken by surprise, but very happy” when notified. Speaking to Icelandic public broadcaster RUV, Carson called the decision “crazy” and joked the prize might earn her books “a sticker on the front” .
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney praised the win as “an extraordinary achievement and a proud moment for Canada,” citing Carson’s role in bringing ancient stories to contemporary audiences . The prize carries a sum of 12 million Swedish kroner (€1.07 million) .
