Walter Starkie

Walter Starkie

Walter Fitzwilliam Starkie CMG, CBE, Litt.D (August 9, 1894 - November 2, 1976) was an Irish scholar, Hispanist, author and musician.

Born in Killiney, County Dublin, he was the eldest son of the noted Greek scholar and translator of Aristophanes, William Joseph Myles Starkie (WJM) (1860–1920) and May Caroline Walsh. Starkie grew up surrounded by writers, artists and academicians. His father was the last Resident Commissioner of National Education for Ireland under British rule (1899–1920). His aunt, Edyth Starkie, was an established painter married to Arthur Rackham and his godfather was John Pentland Mahaffy, the tutor of Oscar Wilde.

He is now best known as a translator of Spanish literature, and as a leading authority on the Romani people (Gypsies). He spoke fluent Romany, the language of the Gypsies.