100th Anniversary of the Birth of Edwin Morgan

That the Parliament commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Scottish poet, Edwin Morgan, who was born in Glasgow on 27 April 1920; understands that Morgan grew up in Rutherglen, which inspired his first book of poems, The Vision of Cathkin Braes, in 1952, before becoming a teacher at the University of Glasgow; considers that Morgan worked in a wide range of forms and styles and also translated from a wide range of languages, including Russian, French, Italian, Latin, German and Old English; notes that Morgan ultimately became Glasgow’s first Poet Laureate and Scotland’s first Makar, and is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s greatest and most influential poets, as well as being remembered for his work as a teacher and playwright; recognises the vast legacy that he left behind, not only his magnificent contribution to the literary world, but the financial legacy of £918,000 left with the aim of allowing the people of Scotland to consider and vote for Scottish independence, a cause close to his heart, and a further £1 million left for the creation of an annual award scheme in his memory for young poets in Scotland; notes that his wide and varied work included the poem, Open the Doors!, for the opening of the Scottish Parliament building in 2004, and believes that this important centenary anniversary should be used to celebrate the life and legacy of such a talented and influential Scot.