James Bell Salmond (1891–1958) was a Scottish journalist, poet, and novelist whose literary career was deeply shaped by his experiences during the First World War. Born in Arbroath to a writer and editor, Salmond studied Political Economy at the University of St Andrews before entering journalism. With the outbreak of the war, he commissioned into the Black Watch, serving in major engagements including the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Arras.\n\nFollowing his service, Salmond was diagnosed with neurasthenia and admitted to Craiglockhart War Hospital in Edinburgh. There, he collaborated with fellow patient Wilfred Owen to edit The Hydra, the hospital's in-house magazine, which also featured contributions from Siegfried Sassoon. Salmond wrote numerous poems reflecting his wartime experiences, often utilizing Scottish dialect, though his poetry remained less widely recognized than that of some of his contemporaries.\n\nAfter the war, Salmond returned to journalism and eventually became the editor of The Scots Magazine, a historic publication he led for over two decades. He settled in Newport-on-Tay and became an active civic figure in Dundee, participating in various historical and outdoor associations. In 1948, he stepped down from his editorial role to serve as the Keeper of Muniments and warden of St Salvator's Hall at his alma mater, the University of St Andrews.
