Heðin Brú (1901-1987) was the penname of Hans Jacob Jacobsen, a Faroese novelist and translator. He is considered the most important Faroese writer of his generation and is known for his fresh and ironic style. Until his untimely death in 1996, John F West was an authority on the Faroe Islands. He wrote and translated extensively on their history and culture, producing ground-breaking work which is still acknowledged today. His translation of The Old Man and His Son was widely regarded as his finest piece of translation.