Alastair Reid was born in Whithorn in 1926. After serving in the navy, he studied at St Andrews University and since then has lived in America, France, Spain, Switzerland, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. He contributed over 150 pieces to the New Yorker magazine in 1951 and joined its staff, eventually becoming South American Editor. He has published over 40 books in many languages, including essays, poetry, sports writing, children's books and translations of some of the world's most distinguished poets and literary figures.