Digital Victorian Periodical Poetry

Poet and brewer. Born in Dailly, Ayrshire. Educated until he was fourteen, and worked for the estate of Sir Hew Dalrymple Hamilton, where his father was employed as a butler. Moved with his family to Roslyn in 1809, and then in 1810 employed as a clerk in Registrar House, Edinburgh, and befriended notable literary figures (including Robert Chambers). Married Janet Ainslie in 1812. Emigrated to America in 1822 and began to work as a brewer. Author of *A Pilgrimage to the Land of Burns* (1822) and *Scottish Songs, Ballads, and Poems* (1855), and contributed to *Whistle Binkie* (1853). Biographical information: *ODNB*. (AC)