Edwin Morgan is considered to be one of

Edwin Morgan is considered to be one of the most influential voices in Scottish writing in the last century. Edwin Morgan became famous for his realistic and powerful depictions of Scottish life and identity. He is especially associated with his representation of his home city of Glasgow. Morgan was also an experimental writer and often experimented with unusual style and structure in his writing.

The aim of today’s lesson is to introduce Edwin Morgan and to try to understand a little more about his life and the things that influenced his poetry. To do this, we will complete a timeline of his life and mark the key moment and events within it. This will help us as we approach our study of his poetry.

Edwin George Morgan was born on 27 th April 1920 in the West End of Glasgow. Shortly after his birth, he moved with his parents to Rutherglen, where he spent most of his childhood. Morgan attended Rutherglen school before starting at Glasgow High School. He completed his studies and enrolled at Glasgow University in 1937.

Edwin George Morgan Born 27 April 1920 Morgan enrols at Glasgow University

Britain declares war on Nazi Germany Morgan postpones his studies to join the Royal Army Medical Corps WW 2 comes to an end following VE and VJ day. Morgan returns to Glasgow University to complete his studies.

Elizabeth II becomes Queen Morgan’s first published work: a translation of Beowulf JFK becomes President of USA Morgan experiments with shape and concrete poetry

President Kennedy is killed while visiting Dallas (Texas) Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the surface of the moon. The ‘Second Life’. This 59 poem collection marked Morgan’s first as a poet.

Strikes in the UK lead to the ‘winter of discontent’ Morgan’s collection ‘From Glasgow to Saturn’ highlights his interest in science fiction as well as the broad scope of his writing. Scotland votes against devolution in a referendum. Morgan becomes a Professor at Glasgow University

Margaret Thatcher is elected as the first female British Prime Minister. Morgan publishes a selection of Sonnets based primarily in his home city of Glasgow. Prince Charles marries Lady Diana Spencer. Morgan retires as a professor at Glasgow University.

The Labour party led by Tony Blair win power in a Landslide election victory. The first complete collection of Morgan’s poetry Is published bringing together his most famous poems. The people of Scotland vote in favour of a new Parliament. Morgan is commissioned to write a poem for the opening of the new Parliament building.

The world is rocked by the events of September 11 th The Scottish Parliament name Morgan as the first Scots Poet laureate or Makar. The world suffers the worst economic downturn in over seventy years. Morgan dies of Cancer at the age of 90.