Robert Garioch and aspects of the Scottish poetic tradition

Abstract

This thesis is an examination of the work of Robert Garioch (1909-1981), and of his importance within the Scottish poetic tradition. It examines the way in which his reputation has suffered from too easy comparisons with Robert Fergusson, and seeks to reposition Garioch as a writer of greater breadth and depth than has often been acknowledged. The thesis takes in the gamut of Garioch's writing and treats it as a whole. Chapter I examines Garioch's kinship with Robert Fergusson and suggests that the connection between the two poets, while important, has often been over-emphasised, and suggests other equally important influences and precursors, while acknowledging Garioch's originality. Chapter II deals with Garioch's writing about Edinburgh in poetry, prose and drama. Chapter III is concerned with the longer poems and their importance, while Chapter IV deals with the translations, especially those from George Buchanan and Guiseppe Belli, and underlines their significance. Chapter V looks at Garioch's relationship with other twentieth century writers in Scots-both with his contemporaries within and outwith the Lallans movement and with his predecessors. By way of examining the whole of Garioch's work, including a significant number of his personal papers, and by contextualising it all, the thesis hopes to offer a more nuanced reading of Garioch's poetry, one which recognises his frequently undervalued poetic achievement.