Douglas Dunn was born in Inchinnan, Renfrewshire in 1942.
He read English at Hull University from 1966 until 1969. After graduating with a First he stayed on to work in the University's Brynmor Jones Library where poet Philip Larkin was chief librarian.
The two shared an interest in jazz though Larkin also championed Dunn's work with potential publishers, particularly Faber.
Dunn's first published collection, TERRY STREET, appeared in 1969. Dunn and his first wife had bought a one up and one down terraced property on that road in Hull. It cost them just £250 and the poems tell of everyday life in what was a poor working class neighbourhood.
In the 70's Dunn's reputation grew. He was a writer in residence at Hull University and at the centre of the city's vibrant literary scene. It culminated in 1982 in him editing A RUMOURED CITY, an anthology of work by writers associated with Hull. Larkin provided a foreword (Chrystal 2018).
In the mid 80's Dunn finally returned to Scotland and to a prestigious post as Professor of English at St Andrews.
His ST KILDA's PARLIAMENT (1981) and THE POLL TAX: THE FISCAL FARCE (1990) showed a political edge. And his statusis such that he was chosen to edit the Faber Book of Twentieth Century Scottish Poetry (1992).