Edwin Morgan (poet) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edwin Morgan
OBE FRSE
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| Makar | |
| In office 16 February 2004 – 19 August 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Liz Lochhead |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 April 1920 Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 19 August 2010 (aged 90) Glasgow, Scotland |
| Alma mater | University of Glasgow |
| Occupation | Professor, poet |
Edwin George Morgan (born 27 April 1920 – died 19 August 2010) was a famous Scottish poet and translator. Many people think he was one of the best Scottish poets of the 1900s. In 1999, he became Glasgow's first Poet Laureate. Later, in 2004, he was named Scotland's first National Poet, also known as the Makar.
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Discovering Edwin Morgan's Life
Edwin Morgan was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He grew up in a town called Rutherglen. His family followed the Presbyterian faith. He loved books and convinced his parents to let him join book clubs. A book called The Faber Book of Modern Verse really opened his eyes to poetry.
Early Life and Education
In 1937, Edwin went to the University of Glasgow. He studied languages like French and Russian. He also taught himself Italian and German. During World War II, he paused his studies. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps but did not fight. He was a conscientious objector, meaning he chose not to take part in combat.
After the war, Edwin graduated in 1947. He then became a lecturer at the university. He worked there until 1980, when he retired as a full professor.
His Unique Poetic Style
Edwin Morgan believed in always trying new things in his writing. He once said "CHANGE RULES!" was the best graffiti. This idea showed his commitment to trying different forms of poetry. It also showed his belief in fairness and equality.
He wrote in many styles, from traditional sonnets to funny nonsense poems. He explored science fiction and new technologies. His ability to use many different voices was a key part of his work.
Connecting with the Community
Edwin Morgan wrote many famous love poems, like "Strawberries." These poems were written so that anyone could relate to them. He wanted his poems to be for everyone. In 1995, he wrote a special poem for the opening of the Glasgow LGBT Centre. He gave it to the center as a gift.
In 2002, he became a supporter of a group called Our Story Scotland. This group helps people share their life stories. When the Scottish Parliament building opened in 2004, Edwin was too unwell to read his poem. So, another poet, Liz Lochhead, read his poem "Poem for the Opening of the Scottish Parliament." Liz Lochhead later became the next Scots Makar in 2011.
Collaborations and Later Years
Near the end of his life, Edwin Morgan worked with the Scottish band Idlewild. He recited a poem called "Scottish Fiction" on their album The Remote Part. This helped him reach new fans. In 2007, he also wrote two poems for a music project called Ballads of the Book. These poems were turned into songs by Scottish musicians.
The famous poet Seamus Heaney visited Edwin Morgan in 2005. He praised Edwin's work.
As Edwin's health declined, he moved to a care home. In April 2010, just months before he passed away, he published a new collection of poems. It was called Dreams and Other Nightmares and marked his 90th birthday.
On 19 August 2010, Edwin Morgan died in Glasgow from pneumonia. He was 90 years old. Many people, including politicians and poets, shared their sadness. In his will, he left money to the Scottish National Party. He also left money to friends and charities. He set aside £1 million to create the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award. This award helps young poets in Scotland. The Edwin Morgan Trust was set up in 2012 to manage this award.
Exploring Edwin Morgan's Poetry
Edwin Morgan used many different forms and styles in his poetry. These included traditional sonnets and concrete poetry. Concrete poetry is where the shape of the poem on the page adds to its meaning. His Collected Poems came out in 1990.
He was also a skilled translator. He translated poems from many languages. These included Russian, French, Italian, and even Old English. His 1952 translation of Beowulf is still very popular.
Edwin Morgan was also inspired by American beat poets. These poets used simple, easy-to-understand ideas and language. This style can be seen in his own work.
Poems for Study
Some of Edwin Morgan's poems are studied in schools in Scotland. These include:
- "Winter" – This poem describes Bingham's pond in winter.
- "In the Snackbar" – This poem describes meeting a disabled person in a Glasgow café.
- "Glasgow 5 March 1971" – This poem is about a robbery in Glasgow.
- "Good Friday" – This poem describes a bus journey on the Christian holiday.
- "Trio" – This poem tells a story about the power of friendship.
- "Glasgow Sonnet (I)" – This poem is about poverty in Glasgow.
Other Important Poems
Here are some other well-known poems by Edwin Morgan:
- "The Death of Marilyn Monroe" (1962) – This poem shows strong feelings after the death of the famous actress, Marilyn Monroe. It also comments on society.
- "King Billy" (1968) – This poem looks back at gang fights in Glasgow in the 1930s.
- "A Good Year for Death" (1977) – This poem describes five famous people who died in 1977.
- "Poem for the Opening of the Scottish Parliament" (2004) – This poem was read by Liz Lochhead at the opening ceremony. Edwin was too ill to read it himself.
Published Works by Edwin Morgan
Books
- Dies Irae, 1952
- Beowulf: A Verse Translation into Modern English, 1952
- The Vision of Cathkin Braes and Other Poems, 1952
- The Cape of Good Hope, 1955
- Emergent Poems, 1967
- The Second Life, 1968
- Glasgow Sonnets, 1972
- Instamatic Poems, 1972
- From Glasgow to Saturn, 1973
- The New Divan, 1977
- Star Gate: Science Fiction Poems, 1979
- Poems of Thirty Years, 1982
- Sonnets from Scotland, 1984
- Collected Poems, 1990
- Sweeping Out the Dark, 1994
- Collected Translations, 1996
- Virtual and Other Realities, 1997
- A.D.: A Trilogy of Plays on the Life of Jesus, 2000
- New Selected Poems, 2000
- Cathures, 2002
- Love and a Life: 50 Poems by Edwin Morgan, 2003
- The Play of Gilgamesh, 2005
- A Book of Lives, 2007
Awards and Honours
Edwin Morgan received many awards for his work:
- 1972 PEN Memorial Medal (Hungary)
- 1982 OBE
- 1983 Saltire Society Scottish Book of the Year Award for Poems of Thirty Years
- 1985 Soros Translation Award (New York)
- 1998 Stakis Prize for Scottish Writer of the Year for Virtual and Other Realities
- 2000 Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry
- 2001 Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize for Jean Racine: Phaedra
- 2002 The Saltire Society's Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun award for notable service to Scotland
- 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature, from the Saltire Society and the Scottish Arts Council
- 2007 Shortlisted for T. S. Eliot Prize for A Book of Lives.
- 2008 Scottish Arts Council Book of the Year Award
