TRIBUTES have been paid to the woman who founded the Scottish Poetry Library after her death from cancer at the age of 77.

Tessa Ransford was a poet, editor, translator and activist who set up the poetry library in 1984. She was born in India but her family moved back to Scotland when she was 10 and she studied at St Leonard’s School in St Andrews then Edinburgh University.

She spearheaded work to launch a national library of poetry, with a purpose-built building in Edinburgh designed by Malcolm Fraser Architects and opened in 1999. It now stocks more than 40,000 items and is used as a resource by and for anyone with an interest in poetry.

Ransford, who also published 16 books of poems, remained an honorary president of the Scottish Poetry Library.

Her fellow honorary president, Makar Liz Lochhead, said: "Poets and lovers of poetry in Scotland will be very saddened to hear of the death of Tessa Ransford.

"A fine poet of great sensitivity herself, she was the prime mover behind the establishing of the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh."

Lochhead said the library "supports all kinds of poetry, serving poets, spoken-word artists, scholars of poetry, students, readers, and enthusiasts all over the world". "Tessa was right," she said. "We need this and it will remain her lasting legacy, for which we are very grateful."

Robyn Marsack, current director of the Scottish Poetry Library, said: "Tessa’s influence on Scottish poetry was not confined to the huge achievement of the establishment of the library – she also created the climate in which poetry pamphlet publishing flourishes today, and through her international outlook and connections stimulated the exchange of poetry and poets between Scotland and several continents.

"Her energies never flagged, nor her love of poetry."

Donald Smith, director of Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland, added: "Tessa Ransford was a visionary poet determined to turn creative vision into practical reality.

"She realised this not only in her founding leadership of the Scottish Poetry Library but in her impact on the role of women in the Scottish arts, and in her championing of a revived, outward looking Scottish identity.

"Tessa was a dear friend, fellow worker and provocateur of mine for 40 years, and I know that her spirit and influence will continue in many lives, including my own."