Isabel Pagan (c. 1740 – 1821), also known as "Tibbie", was a Scottish

poet A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator ( thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems (oral or writte ...

of the

Romantic Era Romanticism (also known as the Romantic movement or Romantic era) was an artistic, literary, musical, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe towards the end of the 18th century, and in most areas was at its peak in the approximate ...

Biography

Pagan was born in 1741, about 4 miles from Nith-head in the Parish of

New Cumnock New Cumnock is a town in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It expanded during the coal-mining era from the late 18th century, and mining remained its key industry until its pits were shut in the 1960s. The town is southeast of Cumnock, and east of Ayr. ...

, where she lived until 14 years of age. Lame from birth with a deformed foot, she also had a squint and a large tumour on her side. Unsuited for hard labour she settled in a cottage now romantically situated on the banks of the Garpel water, where she made a living by writing verses, singing and opening her cottage as a howff – a meeting place and an unofficial pub where whisky and strong drink was served in a convivial atmosphere. She was in the habit of satirizing in verse those who had offended her. She was noted for her sarcastic wit and was apparently an exceptional singer, often singing her own compositions to the delight of her rustic audience. During the shooting season her howff would be filled with aristocrats who were glad to enjoy a laugh at her humour and to hear her sing. Although never married she had a child by a man called Campbell who deserted her, on the eve of their marriage. She was unable to write; the local tailor Gemmell wrote out her verses. Known as Tibbie to her friends she died at the end of 1821 in her 80th year and was buried in the cemetery at Muirkirk. She has been titled ''

Working class The working class (or labouring class) comprises those engaged in manual-labour occupations or industrial work, who are remunerated via waged or salaried contracts. Working-class occupations (see also " Designation of workers by collar colou ...

poet'', as has

Christian Milne Christian Milne (15 May 1773 – after June 1816)Christian Milne

. Her best known work, " Ca' the Ewes to the Knowes" was adapted and popularised as a
Scottish folk song Scottish usually refers to something of, from, or related to Scotland, including: *Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family native to Scotland *Scottish English *Scottish national identity, the Scottish ide ...
by the poet
Robert Burns Robert Burns (25 January 175921 July 1796), also known familiarly as Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who hav ...
.

Works
Her one published volume of poems was ''A collection of Poems and Songs'' published in Glasgow in 1805. Some of her poetry includes: * '' Ca' the Ewes to the Knowes'' * ''The Crook and Plaid'' * ''Account of the Author's Lifetime'' * ''A New Love Song, with the Answer'' * ''The Answer'' * ''On Burns and Ramsay'' * ''A Letter'' * ''The Spinning Wheel'' * ''A Love Letter'' * ''Muirkirk Light Weights''

References

Sources
*Patterson, James. ''The Contemporaries of Burns.'' 1840. Pages 113-123 *Douglas, George. ''Scottish Minor Poets.'' 1891. Page 290. {{DEFAULTSORT:Pagan, Isabel 1740 births 1821 deaths Scottish women poets Scottish women writers