The wealth of

Edwin Morgan:

readers' views

The Cafe

I enjoyed Kenneth Roy's piece (21 June) on Edwin Morgan's great riches from playing the stock market.
     It's interesting comparing the reaction of the Scottish establishment to the discovery of Morgan's unsuspected wealth to that given to the revelation of Donald Dewar's wealth after his death. As Carol Craig pointed out, Dewar's reputation was seriously assailed by the Scotterati, a reaction Private Eye gleefully satirised:
     And the guid folk all threw up their bonnets in dismay and wrote letters to the Guardian saying that "Donald was nothing but an old humbug".
     It's interesting comparing the reaction as there has been virtually no reaction, despite the fact that Donald's wealth seems to have been gained by not spending very much, whereas Morgan's was gained on playing the capitalist system.
     It could be a sign that we have all grown up and don't give a rat's arse about the private lives of public figures, but I suspect it indicates something a bit more sinister: criticising Edwin Morgan's capitalist-gained wealth would be like criticising the party to which he left so much of that money, and that party in turn has much money and power to distribute to those it smiles upon.
     Since May, Scotland has become a more nervy place somehow – the general lack of grace displayed by Salmond is disquieting and there seems to be a lot of stillness where there should be questioning.

Edwin Moore

For Heaven's sake, Roy does sometimes grab hold of the wrong end of the stick. The story here surely is the share portfolio. Clearly Edwin Morgan could teach Scottish Widows and Standard Life a thing or two. Angus Grossart would be drooling. 
     The next time a wizened Scots leftie hobbles on to the stage clutching his winter fuel allowance to collect a wodge from Creative Scotland, here are the real questions to ask: Is he long or short on Tesco? What's his take on Scottish & Southern Energy? And did he get out of RBS in time?
     Haven't laughed so much since Donald Dewar's multi-million-pound stock market portfolio came to light.

Bill Jamieson

I read with detached interest the article by Kenneth Roy about Edwin Morgan's recent bequest to the SNP. I know nothing about Edwin Morgan, neither his life nor his poetry. In fact his name only serves to highlight an issue, evinced by Kenneth Roy, that I feel the need to address.
     The thrust of Roy's article seems to subtly, or not so subtly, suggest that 'artists' should have no business in incurring personal wealth, especially artists who have publicly espoused a socialist/leftist take on life. It suggests also that anyone of worth, in a social/intellectual sense should of necessity be poor. Somehow that person is not quite 'kosher' if he/she has amassed a small personal fortune by dint of wise investment, and the previously attributed worthiness diminishes in direct proportion to the amount of filthy lucre accrued. 
     I suggest that this warped attitude is a grave obstacle to Scottish and British endeavour, in any and all fields, and paints us yet again as the culture that is jealous and resentful of those among us who have the wit to succeed.
     Edwin Morgan may have made his money playing the markets over the years, but boy did he put that to good use after his death, ever loyal to his Scottish social principles, by leaving a hefty chunk to the SNP. I'm raising a glass to him at this very moment.

Judith Jaafar