Amir Or (אמיר אור) was born in 1959 in Tel Aviv. Or has studied Philosophy and Comparative Religion at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, where he later lectured on Ancient Greek Religion. He has taught creative writing and trained teachers at poetry schools and universities in Israel, Europe, the U.S. and Japan. In 1990 Or founded the Helicon Poetry Society and later on served as Helicon's Chief Editor and Artistic Director. He initiated and developed its various projects, including Helicon's poetry journal, its series of poetry books, the Sha’ar International Poetry Festival, and the Helicon Hebrew-Arabic Poetry School. For his editorial work he received the Literary Editing Award of the Israeli Culture ministry.

Amir Or is recognized as a major new generation voice in world literature. He has published 12 poetry books, the latest being Prophecy of the Madman (2012), Loot: Selected Poems 1977-2013 (2013) and Wings (2015). His poems have been translated into 45 languages, and published in 25 books in Europe, Asia and America. Or has given readings and lectured at dozens of festivals and conferences worldwide. His poetry has won him many national and international awards. Or also published 11 books of his translations from English, Ancient Greek and other languages, including The Gospel of Thomas, Stories from the Mababharata, and Limb Loosening Desire: an Anthology of Greek Erotic Poetry. He has published numerous essays on poetry, comparative religion and classical studies.