Sylvia Plath won a Fulbright Scholarship.
With this prestigious scholarship, Plath went on to study at Newham College in Cambridge, England. She studied under Dorothea Krook, an Israeli literary scholar that Plath held in high regard. Plath kept writing throughout her time in Cambridge and traveled through Europe over the summer.
Sylvia Plath's father died when she was eight, and this experience inspired much of her work.
Otto Plath died unexpectedly due to complications after the amputation of his foot from untreated diabetes. His death had a significant impact on Plath, and was the inspiration for many of her poems, including one of her most famous: "Daddy."
At age 12, Plath's IQ was recorded at around 160.
For reference, the range for being considered a genius begins at 140. Even without knowing her IQ, it's clear from her work that Plath was extremely intelligent. She was a gifted student throughout her life, winning numerous scholarships and awards — including a scholarship to Smith College.
Sylvia Plath was also a visual artist.
In fact, she originally majored in studio art at Smith College before switching to English. From collages to paintings, much of her art uses the abstract in unique ways. Her visual art was recently put on display at the Smithsonian National Gallery and you see it in person until May 20, 2018.
Sylvia Plath published her first poem when she was eight years old.
It was called "Poem" and it was published in the Boston Herald in 1941. It's short and sweet, and quite different from the darker poetry Plath wrote later in life:
"Hear the crickets chirping
In the dewy grass.
Bright little fireflies
Twinkle as they pass."
In the dewy grass.
Bright little fireflies
Twinkle as they pass."