Poet and barrister. Born in Glasgow. Educated at the University of Edinburgh. Worked
as a barrister in the Supreme Court, the Hamilton court, and as the Sheriff-substitute
of Lanarkshire. Married Helen Gillespie on 2 August 1870. Author of several volumes
of poetry including *Dreams and Realities: A Volume of Poems* (1863) and *Darroll,
and Other Poems* (1881). Biographical information: Reilly, *Mid-Victorian Poetry*,
p. 432; “Lieutenant Walter Thomas Patrick Spens”, *The University of Glasgow Story;
First World War Roll of Honour* <https://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/ww1-biography/?id=2593>
(15 August 2021). (CC)