Literary papers, circa 1967-2009, of Harvey Holton (1949-2010).

Harvey Holton was born in Galashiels, to where the family returned in 1963 after spells in Nigeria, Edinburgh and Falkirk. Holton began writing poetry while still at school, and by the early 1970s his fascination with language and poetry as a means of expression convinced him that he had found his vocation. After moving to Fife he studied English literature at the University of Dundee, and in the mid-1970s started writing poetry in his own Scots tongue. This was much more true to him than writing in English and all his mature work is in Scots. Holton was widely published in poetry magazines and anthologies. His most ambitious work was the epic poem cycle ‘Fionn’, a successful performance piece and a stand-alone publication, `Finn` (1987). Holton was a skilled performer of his own work, and comfortable in that bardic tradition, often working with musicians to enhance the performance. A committed teacher and writer-in-residence at various times, he was an early influence on Kathleen Jamie and John Glenday, among others.