William Neill (poet) facts for kids
- For other persons named William Neill, see William Neill.
William Neill (born February 22, 1922 – died April 5, 2010) was a Scottish poet. He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland. Neill wrote his poems in several languages. These included Scottish Gaelic, Irish Gaelic, Scots, and English. He was a very important part of a cultural movement called the Scottish Renaissance.
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Early Life and Education
William Neill was born in Prestwick, Ayrshire. He went to school at Ayr Academy. After serving in the RAF (Royal Air Force), he went to the University of Edinburgh. There, he earned a special degree in Celtic studies. This field of study focuses on the history and languages of Celtic people.
As a young writer, Neill often wrote for magazines. These included Catalyst and Gairm. He later became the second editor of Catalyst. He studied the poets of the Scottish Renaissance movement. He believed that the Scots language was still very much alive, even during the time of famous poet Robert Burns.
Career as a Teacher
William Neill lived in Crossmichael, which is in Galloway. He worked as an English teacher at Castle Douglas High School. His wife also taught at the local primary school. Sometimes, Neill would get tired of teaching English. On those days, he would teach his lessons in Scots instead.
Awards and Recognition
William Neill received several awards for his poetry. In 1969, he won the National Mod's bardic crown in Aviemore. This is a special award for poets.
Other awards he received include:
- The Grierson Verse Prize (1970)
- The Sloan Prize (1970)
- A Scottish Arts Council Book Award (1985)
Published Works
Neill wrote many books of poetry throughout his career. Here are some of his published works:
- Scotland's Castle, Reprographia (Gordon Wright), 1969
- Four Points of a Saltire, Reprographia (Gordon Wright), 1970
- Then and Now: poems and songs, W. Neill
- Poems, Akros Publications, 1970
- Despatches Home, Reprographia (Gordon Wright), 1972, ISBN: 0-903065-07-X
- Wild Places: Poems in Three Leids, Luath Press, 1985
- Making Tracks: and other poems, Gordon Wright Publishing, 1988, ISBN: 0-903065-65-7
- Straight Lines, Blackstaff Press, 1992, ISBN: 0-856404756
- Tales frae the Odyssey o Homer, Saltire Society, 1992, ISBN: 0-854110496
- Selected Poems, 1969-1992, Canongate Press, 1994, ISBN: 978-0-86241-476-4
- A Hantle o Romanesco Sonnets bi Giuseppe Gioachino Belli (1791-1863), Burnside Press, 1995, ISBN: 0-9527288-0-X
- Galloway Landscapes: poems, URR Publications, 1981, ISBN: 978-0-9507609-0-2; Previous Parrot Press, 1997
- Caledonian Cramboclink, Luath Press, 2000, ISBN: 978-0-946487-53-0
Later Life
William Neill passed away on April 5, 2010. He died at Munches Park Residential Home in Dalbeattie.
