William Soutar

William Soutar (1898–1943) was a leading poet of the Scottish Literary Renaissance. Diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in 1924, he was bedridden from 1930 and died of tuberculosis in 1943. He is also known for his journal, Diary of a Dying Man, which was was published posthumously.

Quotes

• Art is for all — and the greatest art proves it.
  • Diary, 29 August 1932.
  • Quotation posted with the permission of the National Scottish Library, Edinburgh, Scotland.

• My life's purpose is to write poetry — but behind the poetry must be the vision of a fresh revelation for men.
  • Diary, 29th August 1932.
  • Quotation posted with the permission of the National Scottish Library, Edinburgh, Scotland.
• What is this poetry ? A mortal mind
  Made visible;a caged bird?
  Nay more:it is a spiritleft behind
  Nailed by the piercing word.
  • On a poem, XC Brief Words, The Moray Press, Edinburgh 1935.

• Accept the shout or silence of your peers
  As if a fabled legacy or loss;
  Their praiseand blame are but the winds which toss
  Your seed into the winter of the years.
  • For any Artist, LXXXI,Brief Words, The Moray Press, Edinburgh 1935.

External links

• The William Soutar Website