William Soutar

A lyric poet of outstanding merit, William Soutar is one of the seminal figures in the revival of Scots poetry in the first half of the twentieth century; and the fact that he achieved this in defiance of chronic illness has earned him a unique place in the affection of Scottish readers.

Soutar’s education was in his home town of Perth, his principal interests during his years at Perth Academy being poetry and football. A period of service in the Navy (1916-19) was followed by his taking a degree at Edinburgh University, where his first intention of studying medicine was rapidly abandoned for English literature. His enthusiastic participation in the social and intellectual life of the university, however, was marred by rec