Beowulf Translations

A guide to finding and choosing among the many translations of Beowulf

Beowulf has been translated into modern English countless times since the first translation by Sharon Turner in 1805. Each translator brings their own perspective, priorities, and style—some emphasize poetic meter and alliteration, others focus on literal accuracy, and still others prioritize modern readability. This guide lists major translations and provides resources for finding copies.

Major Translations

Below is a chronological list of significant Beowulf translations, organized by publication date. Each entry includes the translator, publication year, title, and notable characteristics.

Sharon Turner (1805)

The History of the Anglo-Saxons (includes first English translation). The very first English translation of Beowulf, though it was only a partial translation included in a larger historical work.

Finding copies: This very early translation is rare. Check SFPL catalog (may not be available). Search used book sites like AbeBooks. Also available through Internet Archive, Google Books, and rare book dealers. Often found in university library special collections.

John Mitchell Kemble (1837)

The Anglo-Saxon Poems of Beowulf. The first complete English translation of Beowulf, published alongside the Old English text. Kemble's work was foundational for Beowulf scholarship.

Finding copies: Check SFPL catalog (may not be available). Search used book sites like AbeBooks. Also available through Internet Archive, Google Books, and academic libraries. Reprints may be available through specialized publishers.

J.R. Clark Hall (1901, revised 1940)

Beowulf: A Metrical Translation. A widely used prose translation that emphasizes accuracy and includes extensive notes. The 1940 revision by C.L. Wrenn is particularly well-regarded.

Finding copies: Check SFPL catalog. Purchase from AbeBooks. The 1940 edition is commonly found in university libraries.

J.R.R. Tolkien (1926, published 2014)

Beowulf: A Translation and Commentary. Tolkien's translation, completed in the 1920s but published posthumously, offers a scholarly and poetic approach from one of the most influential medievalists of the 20th century. Includes extensive commentary.

Finding copies: Check SFPL catalog. Purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.org. Published by HarperCollins and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Available as hardcover, paperback, and ebook.

E. Talbot Donaldson (1966)

Beowulf: A Prose Translation. A highly accurate prose translation that was widely used in academic settings. Known for its literal accuracy and scholarly approach.

Finding copies: Check SFPL catalog. Purchase from AbeBooks. Often found in Norton Critical Editions or other academic anthologies.

Burton Raffel (1963)

Beowulf. A popular verse translation that balances poetic quality with readability. Raffel's translation is often used in introductory courses and is known for its accessibility.

Finding copies: Check SFPL catalog. Purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.org. Published by Signet Classics and other publishers. Available in multiple editions and formats.

Michael Alexander (1973, revised 2001)

Beowulf: A Verse Translation. Alexander's translation maintains the alliterative verse structure of the original while remaining accessible. The revised edition includes updated scholarship.

Finding copies: Purchase from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Available through Penguin Classics and other publishers. Widely available in bookstores, online retailers, and libraries.

Howell D. Chickering (1977, revised 2006)

Beowulf: A Dual-Language Edition. A dual-language edition with Old English and modern English on facing pages, making it excellent for students learning Old English. Includes extensive notes and commentary.

Finding copies: Check SFPL catalog. Purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.org. Published by Anchor Books/Doubleday. Available through major retailers and academic bookstores. Often used as a textbook.

R.M. Liuzza (2000)

Beowulf: A New Verse Translation. A scholarly verse translation that maintains the alliterative meter. Liuzza's translation is praised for its balance between accuracy and poetic quality.

Finding copies: Purchase from Bookshop.org. Published by Broadview Press and available in academic bookstores and online retailers. Often used in university courses.

Seamus Heaney (2000)

Beowulf: A New Verse Translation. The Nobel Prize-winning poet's translation is widely praised for its accessibility and poetic beauty. Heaney's version maintains the alliterative verse structure while making the text approachable for modern readers. One of the most popular modern translations.

Finding copies: Check SFPL catalog. Purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.org. Published by W.W. Norton & Company and Faber & Faber. Available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats.

Roy M. Liuzza (2013)

Beowulf: A Verse Translation. A second translation by Liuzza, this time for Broadview Press. Known for its scholarly rigor and poetic quality.

Finding copies: Available through Broadview Press and academic bookstores. Often used in university courses.

Maria Dahvana Headley (2020)

Beowulf: A New Translation. Headley's modern, feminist translation reimagines Beowulf with contemporary language and perspectives. Her work challenges traditional interpretations and brings the epic into conversation with modern concerns about gender, power, and monstrosity. Uses modern slang and contemporary references.

Finding copies: Check SFPL catalog. Purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.org. Published by MCD/Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats.

J.R.R. Tolkien (2022)

The Complete Translation of Beowulf. A separate publication of Tolkien's translation without the commentary, focusing purely on the poetic translation itself.

Finding copies: Published by HarperCollins. Available in bookstores and online retailers.

How to Find Copies

San Francisco Public Library

The San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) system has an excellent collection of Beowulf translations. Here's how to access them:

  • Search the catalog: Use the SFPL online catalog to search for "Beowulf" and filter by format (book, ebook, audiobook). You can place holds online and have books delivered to your preferred branch.
  • Digital access: SFPL offers ebooks and audiobooks through Libby/OverDrive and Hoopla. Many Beowulf translations are available digitally.
  • Interlibrary loan: If SFPL doesn't have a specific translation, you can request it through interlibrary loan. This service allows you to borrow books from other library systems.
  • Library locations: Visit any of SFPL's 28 branch locations or the Main Library in the Civic Center. The Main Library's Literature & Language Center has an extensive poetry and classics collection.
  • Get a library card: If you're a San Francisco resident, you can get a free library card online or at any branch. California residents can also get a card for a fee.

Other Public Libraries

If you're not in San Francisco, check your local public library's catalog online or visit in person. Most public libraries carry multiple translations of Beowulf. Many libraries also participate in interlibrary loan programs, allowing you to request copies from other libraries.

University Libraries (Bay Area)

University libraries in the San Francisco Bay Area have extensive collections of Beowulf translations, including scholarly editions and older translations:

Online Bookstores

Major online retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and others carry most modern translations. Used book sites like AbeBooks, ThriftBooks, and Better World Books are excellent for finding older or out-of-print editions.

Local Bookstores (San Francisco)

San Francisco has many excellent independent bookstores that often carry popular translations like Heaney's or Tolkien's. If they don't have what you're looking for, most can special order books for you:

  • City Lights Booksellers & Publishers: The legendary North Beach bookstore has a strong poetry and literature section. Located at 261 Columbus Avenue.
  • Green Apple Books: Two locations (Clement Street and 9th Avenue) with extensive used and new book collections. Great for finding older translations.
  • Books Inc.: Multiple locations throughout the city. They can special order any translation you need.
  • Borderlands Books: Specializes in science fiction, fantasy, and horror, but also carries classics. Located in the Mission District.
  • Other bookstores: Many other independent bookstores throughout the city carry classics and poetry. Check SF Bookstores for a complete directory.

Digital Libraries

Many translations are available as ebooks through services like Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play Books, and Kobo. Some older translations may be available through Project Gutenberg or Internet Archive for free.

Academic Databases

If you have access through a university or library, databases like JSTOR, Project MUSE, and others may have scholarly articles comparing translations or excerpts from various versions.

Other Notable Translations

In addition to the major translations listed above, there are many other worthy versions:

  • William Morris & A.J. Wyatt (1895): A poetic translation by the Arts and Crafts movement leader. Check SFPL catalog (may not be available). Search AbeBooks for used copies. Also available through Internet Archive and rare book dealers.
  • Francis B. Gummere (1910): A popular verse translation that was widely used in the early 20th century. Check SFPL catalog. Purchase from Amazon or AbeBooks. Also available through Project Gutenberg and libraries.
  • Charles W. Kennedy (1940): A verse translation known for its poetic quality. Check SFPL catalog. Purchase from Amazon. Also available through libraries and used bookstores.
  • Edwin Morgan (1952): A Scottish poet's translation. Check SFPL catalog (may not be available). Also available through university libraries and specialized bookstores.
  • Kevin Crossley-Holland (1968): A verse translation for young readers and general audiences. Check SFPL catalog. Purchase from Barnes & Noble or Bookshop.org. Also available through libraries and online retailers.
  • Stanley B. Greenfield (1982): A prose translation with extensive notes. Check SFPL catalog (may not be available). Also available through academic libraries and used bookstores.
  • R.D. Fulk (2010): A dual-language edition with extensive commentary. Published by Harvard University Press. Purchase from Amazon or Bookshop.org. Also available through academic bookstores.
  • Stephen Mitchell (2017): A modern verse translation. Published by Yale University Press. Also available through bookstores and online retailers.
  • J.R.R. Tolkien (2014, edited by Christopher Tolkien): The complete translation with commentary, published posthumously. Check SFPL catalog. Purchase from Barnes & Noble or Bookshop.org. Widely available.

Choosing a Translation

When selecting a Beowulf translation, consider what you're looking for:

  • Poetic quality: Heaney, Tolkien, Alexander, and Headley are known for their poetic merit.
  • Scholarly accuracy: Donaldson, Liuzza, Chickering, and Tolkien offer highly accurate translations with extensive notes.
  • Accessibility: Raffel, Heaney, and Headley are particularly accessible to modern readers.
  • Learning Old English: Chickering's dual-language edition is ideal for students.
  • Modern perspectives: Headley's translation offers a contemporary, feminist reading.
  • Traditional approach: Tolkien, Heaney, and Alexander maintain closer ties to traditional interpretations.
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