Surname: Cunningham Forename(s): Allan 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)