Shamsur Rahman (October 24, 1929-August 17, 2006) was a leading poet, columnist and journalist of his time. Rahman published over 60 books of poetry. Major themes in his poetry and writings include humanism, relationships, romanticised rebellion of youth, the emergence of and consequent events in Bangladesh, and opposition to religious fundamentalism. Today marks the 80th birth anniversary of the poet.

Rahman was born in his grandfather's house in Dhaka. His paternal home is situated on the bank of the river Meghna in Narshingdi district. He was the fourth of thirteen children. He passed matriculation in 1945. Later he took his I.A. as a student of Dhaka College. Rahman started writing poetry at the age of 18, just after graduating from Dhaka College. He studied English Literature at Dhaka University for three years. After a break, he received his B.A. in 1953. He also received his M.A. in the same subject.

Rahman's first book of poetry, "Prothom Gaan Dwitio Mrittyur Agey," was published in 1960. He witnessed the political turbulence of the 60's and 70's, which reflected in his poems clearly. He wrote his famous poem "Asad-er Shirt" as a tribute to the mass uprising of 1969. During the Liberation War he wrote a number of poems, which brilliantly articulated the aspiration of a nation fighting for its existence. Later these poems were published in "Bondi Shibir Thekey" (1972). He continued writing poems in the post-war Bangladesh and remained as the poet whose words reflected the history of the nation. During the 1990's 'Gano Abbhutthyan', he published "Buk Taar Bangladesh-er Hridoy" -- indicating the great sacrifice of Shaheed Nur Hossain.

Rahman wrote most of his poems in free verse, often with the rhythm style known as 'poyaar' or 'akhshorbritto'. He also wrote poems in two other major patterns of Bengali rhythmic style, namely, 'matrabritto' and 'shwarobritto.' Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, a friend and critic, describes Shamsur Rahman as one who was "deeply rooted in his own tradition." Rahman had a long career as a journalist and served as the editor of Dainik Bangla and the weekly Bichitra in the 1980s. His health deteriorated towards the end of 1990s and on two occasions he received major cardiac surgery. Rahman passed away in 2006 of heart and kidney failure after having been in a coma for 12 days.