Constantine Cavafy lived in relative obscurity for most of his 70 years, but is now considered one of the most powerful and important poets of the twentieth century. This timely biographical re-issue, updated for students and poetry lovers alike, explores the man behind the words, and reveals a scintillating life shaped by beauty, complexity and love. A new generation of poets and scholars can now attempt to capture the deceptively simple and penetrating charm of Cavafy's work.