born Oct. 29, 1924, Lwów, Pol.
died July 28, 1998, Warsaw
Polish poet and essayist.
Herbert started writing at age 17 but published little before 1956. His poetry expresses an ironic moralism in free verse laden with classical and other historical allusions. His most distinguished collection of poetry, Elegy for an Exit , was published in 1990. His essays, published in volumes such as Barbarian in the Garden (1962) and The King of the Ants (1999), are also memorable.