Surname: Wilson Forename(s): Alexander b. 6 July 1766. d. 23 August 1813. Nationality: Scottish. VIAF.
Working-class poet. From Paisley, Renfrewshire. Worked as a weaver, pedlar, and packman.
Imprisoned for libel because of his satirical poem (“The Shark, or, Lang Mills Detected” [1792]) on a mill owner. After his release in 1794 he emigrated to America where
he established himself as a prominent ornithologist. Biographical information: ODNB, Goodridge. (AC)