The literary critic, translator and Scottish poet Edwin Muir was born in Deerness, Orkney, on 15 May 1887. He was educated in Kirkwall but also lived in Glasgow with his family. In 1908 he began writing for the journal The new age edited by A. R. Orage in London. Muir lived in London, writing literary reviews, and he also lived in Prague, at Hellerau near Dresden, and in St. Tropez where he wrote and taught English. It was the publication of The voyage (1946) and The Labyrinth (1949) that brought him recognition as a poet. Translations of Kafka in the 1930s had established his reputation. Other publications include We moderns (1918), and the works of criticism Transition (1926), The three brothers (1931) and Poor Tom 1932). Works of poetry include Narrow place (1943) and One foot in Eden (1956). Edwin Muir died in Cambridge on 3 January 1959.
From the guide to the Collection of papers relating to Edwin Muir (1887-1959), 20th century, (Edinburgh University Library)
