b. 5 April 1792. d. 11 March 1878. Nationality: Scottish. VIAF.
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)