Surname: King Forename(s): James b. 1776. d. 9 September 1849. Nationality: Scottish.
Poet and soldier. Born in Causeyside Street, Paisley. Left school at age eight to
work for his father as a weaver. Joined a circulating library at age twelve and and
shortly afterwards began writing poetry. Friend of Robert Tannahill. Enlisted as a
soldier age 18, deserting after a false accusation of insubordination and then working
as a farm labourer and weaver. Exonerated in 1815, he returned to live in Paisley.
Biographical information: Paisley Poets, ed. by Robert Brown, J. & J. Cook, 1839, vol. 1, pp. 114-16. (AC)