Nazim Hikmet was born in Salonika. After participating in the Struggle for National Independence, he taught school for a brief period and then studied economics and sociology in Moscow (1922--34). After returning to Turkey, he worked as a journalist and in a film studio. He was in continual trouble with the Turkish authorities during the thirties because of his adherence to communism, and in 1938 he was sentenced to a 20-year term in prison. Released in 1950---partly because of world opinion---he left Turkey and lived in exile until his death in 1963.
Hikmet's poetry (he also wrote plays) represents a complete break with the traditional heritage and a full acceptance of occidental models. Much of his work was inspired outside of Turkey and reached a universal dimension; nevertheless, the land and people of Turkey figure prominently as sources of inspiration. He has been especially well received in France via translation. Ironically, most of his work has appeared in Turkey only since his death.
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