Dr Ian Giles, Dept of Scandinavian Studies at University of Edinburgh, visits the Higher Seminar of Literary Studies and Centre for Scandinavian Studies to present his research on Patricia Crampton (1925–2016), one of the prominent translators of Swedish literature in the English-speaking world.

One of the twentieth century’s defining translators of Swedish literature into English was Patricia Crampton (1925–2016). Through the lens of her personal papers, this seminar paints a picture of a remarkable literary actor and offers a lively exploration of the daily challenges and triumphs of translation in the second half of the 20th century. For Crampton, translation was not just about words, but about navigating relationships, meetings, and the evolving role of the translator. Drawing on her witty and illuminating correspondence with authors and editors, alongside her advocacy work, this talk will offer an entertaining glimpse into the realities of working behind the scenes as a translator – as well as how much of it still resonates today.