Samsum Kashfi was born in Estahban, Iran in 1955. His poems were first published in his high school newsletter. In 1973, when he entered university, he began his literary efforts by writing a series of literary reviews and programs for radio. But poetry is his true love and he considers himself an eternal student of the school of poetry. He lives in the United States with his family and is very active in promoting Iranian culture outside of the country and campaigning for freedom of expression and thought in Iran.