Liz Lochhead HRSA
Born in 1947, Liz Lochhead is a Scottish poet, playwright and artist who has had significant influence in the landscape of contemporary Scottish literature. Lochhead studied at the Glasgow School of Art between 1965 and 1970.
Following graduation, Lochhead’s literary career gained momentum as she began publishing, and in 1972 she read alongside Norman MacCaig at a poetry festival in Edinburgh. During this formative period she became associated with prominent Scottish writers including Alasdair Gray, Jim Kelman, Tom Leonard, Tom McGrath and Alan Spence. As one of the few women in this influential, yet male-dominated literary circle, Lochhead rose as an important and inspiring female voice.
Lochhead’s literary style is praised for its intimacy, humour and inquisitive voice. Inspired by Scottish oral tradition, Lochhead incorporates colloquialisms, clichéd language and lyricism, creating a familiar and authentic authorial voice.
Often inspired by Gothic elements, Lochhead’s writing across her career has explored assumptions about gender and national identity. Lochhead’s early work often addressed feminist-leaning concerns, whilst her later work has broadened to explore themes of voice, performance and identity more generally.
Lochhead was made an Honorary Member of the Royal Scottish Academy and its Professor of Literature in 2024.
