Sorley MacLean

Moray Watson (University of Aberdeen)

Ed. by J. Derrick McClure, University of Aberdeen
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.3: Scottish Writing and Culture, 400-present.
Vol. editors: Kate Ash-Irisarri (University of Edinburgh), Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Gina Lyle (University of York), J. Derrick McClure (University of Aberdeen), Andrew Radford (University of Glasgow)

Dates

Born 26 Oct 1911
Died 24 Nov 1996
Activity 1931-1996

Places

Born in Scotland
Active in Scotland

Activities

Primary

Poet

Resources

MacLean's Works

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Sorley MacLean was born in 1911 at Osgaig on the small island of Raasay, immediately adjacent to Skye. He is the central figure in the twentieth century Gaelic literary renaissance, and his book

Dàin do Eimhir agus Dàin Eile

(1943) was the principal influence in modernising Gaelic poetry. In spite of this reputation as a literary moderniser and innovator, MacLean was born into a family of tradition bearers, and this cultural heritage is discernible throughout his work. MacLean was one of seven children of Malcolm and Christina MacLean. Malcolm, although a Raasay man, had North Uist links, and Christina was a Nicolson from Skye. There were tradition bearers in both families, and MacLean grew up with a deep awareness of the oral culture and an appreciation of his place within the local…

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4525 words

Citation: Watson, Moray. "Sorley MacLean". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 21 March 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=4975, accessed 22 November 2024.]

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