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Nikos Karidis was born in Athens, where he studied at the University’s Law School without obtaining a degree. During the German occupation, he founded the publishing house Glaros and, after the war, Ikaros, together with Alekos Patsifas and Mario Ploritis. A founding member of Karolos Koun’s Art Theatre and his advisor until 1952, he also served as a member of the Board of Directors and special advisor to the National Theatre (1974–1981). He died in Athens. He made his literary debut with publications in the magazines Nea Estia and Elefthera Grammata. In 1944, his poetry collection Liopiri was published. He was honoured with the Group of Twelve Award (1958 for the collected volume Poems) and the Ourani Foundation Award (1983 for the poetry collection Smoke and My Days). His poetry revolves around the existential impasse of the poet who keenly experiences the transience of life. His writing draws on elements from various literary movements, primarily Symbolism and Surrealism. His poems have been set to music by Manos Hadjidakis and Yannis Spanos.