He was born in San Fernando, Trinidad, and was educated at Naparima College, wich is in Trinidad. Graduating in 1938 with a Senior Cambridge Certificate, Selvon subsequently equipped himself for his writing career through professional experience and on-the-job training. Between 1945 and 1950, he published a number of short stories, poems, and articles in Caribbean magazines. Between 1950 and 1952 Selvon was a free-lance writer in England, where he became internationally recognized. He moved to Canada in 1978.