b. 7 December 1784. d. 29 October 1842. Nationality: Scottish. VIAF.
Working-class poet and songwriter, writing in Scots. Pseudonym: “Hidallan,” “The Nithsdale
Mason.” Born in Keir, Dumfriesshire. Father was a factor, and his mother a merchant’s
daughter. Cunningham went to a dame school, and then became his brother’s apprentice
stonemason at age eleven. As a child he knew Robert Burns. Became close friends with
James Hogg and greatly admired Walter Scott. Moved to London in 1810, marrying Jean
Walker on 1 July 1811. Began to work for the editor William Jerdan, and then (until
1841) as a secretary and superintendent for the sculptor Francis Chantery. Author
of many books and editions of poetry and prose, including *Remains of Nithsdale and
Galloway Song* (1810; although presented as Cunningham’s antiquarian collection of
old songs, he composed almost everything), *Songs, Chiefly in the Rural Language of
Scotland* (1813), *Traditional Tales of the English and Scots Peasantry* (1822), *The
Songs of Scotland* (1825), and *The Works and Life of Burns* (1834). Biographical
information: *ODNB*. (AC)