About Vivian Virtue
Lived 1911 – 1998 (aged 87). Vivian Virtue was a Jamaican poet and translator.
Vivian Lancaster Virtue (13 November 1911 – 17 December 1998) was a Jamaican poet, translator and broadcaster who moved to England in 1960. and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Virtue translated poetry by José-Maria de Heredia from French into English as well as poems in Spanish by other Caribbean and Latin American poets. He frequently appeared on the BBC's Caribbean Voices radio programme.
Virtue was married to Rhue Hope McKay, daughter of writer Claude McKay and his wife, the former Eulalie Imelda Lewars.
Virtue died in London in 1998 at the age of 87 after an extended illness from heart disease and bronchopneumonia.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Vivian Virtue?
Jamaican poet (1911-1998)
When was Vivian Virtue born?
Vivian Virtue was born on 13 November 1911 in Kingston.
When did Vivian Virtue die?
Vivian Virtue died on 17 December 1998 in London.
What was Vivian Virtue's occupation?
Vivian Virtue was a poet and translator.
What nationality was Vivian Virtue?
Vivian Virtue was Jamaican.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Vivian Virtue. https://biography.guide/vivian-virtue/
MLA: "Vivian Virtue." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/vivian-virtue/.
Chicago: "Vivian Virtue." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/vivian-virtue/.
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