George Johnston is emeritus professor of English at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, where he specialized in older forms of English and Norse literature, particularly the Icelandic sagas and the literature of the Orkney islands.

He is a widely published poet, best known for his early book of poems, The Cruising Auk; his collected works can be found in his book

Endeared by Dark,

• Schemers, and Viga Glum
• Thrand of Gotu

His other translations include

• The Saga of Gisli the Outlaw