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William Soutar Biography | Poet

Photo of William Soutar
Born in 1898 to John Soutar, a well-established joiner in the town, and Margaret Smith, he spent his childhood years firstly in a flat in South Inch Terrace and later at Taybank Cottage near the harbour. From here he crossed the South Inch to attend Southern District School where, in those early days, he shone as a sportsman and gained a reputation as a rebel by leading a school strike.

Between 1912 and 1916 he was a pupil at Perth Academy, which was then situated in Rose Terrace opposite the North Inch. Here again he excelled both in the classroom and on the sports field, and was a popular character in his year. His literary skills were also developing at this time and the school magazine, the Young Barbarian, published some of his youthful poems.

At the start of 1917 he joined the navy and served two relatively quiet years before demobilisation. However, his last few weeks were spent on leave as he was already in pain from the first symptoms of the disease that was later to immobilise him.
William Soutar: Poems | Best Poems | Short Poems | Quotes

Photo of William Soutar

William Soutar (28 April 1898 – 15 October 1943) was a Scottish poet and diarist, who wrote in both English and Braid Scots, and is known best for his epigrams.


William Soutar: Poems | Best Poems | Short Poems | Quotes




Book: Reflection on the Important Things