Thomas Aird (28 August 180225 April 1876)
was a Scottish poet, best known for his 1830 narrative poem ''
The Captive of Fez''.
Early life and education
Aird was born in 1802 at
Bowden Bowden may refer to:
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* Bowde ...
,
Roxburghshire. His parents were James Aird, a builder, and Isabella née Paisley. After completing his education at the local parish school, Aird studied for an undergraduate degree at the
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh ( sco, University o Edinburgh, gd, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in post-nominals) is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Granted a royal charter by King James VI in 15 ...
.
[ While at University, Aird met many writers, including John Wilson and ]James Hogg
James Hogg (1770 – 21 November 1835) was a Scottish poet, novelist and essayist who wrote in both Scots and English. As a young man he worked as a shepherd and farmhand, and was largely self-educated through reading. He was a friend of many ...
.
Writing career
After graduation, Aird resisted encouragements to become a Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland ( sco, The Kirk o Scotland; gd, Eaglais na h-Alba) is the national church in Scotland.
The Church of Scotland was principally shaped by John Knox, in the Reformation of 1560, when it split from the Catholic Church ...
minister, instead remaining in Edinburgh to devote himself to writing. His publication debut came in 1826, with ''Martzoufle: a Tragedy in Three Acts, with other Poems'', although this collection was largely overlooked by critics.[ In the early years of his career, he also contributed articles to '']Blackwood's Magazine
''Blackwood's Magazine'' was a British magazine and miscellany printed between 1817 and 1980. It was founded by the publisher William Blackwood and was originally called the ''Edinburgh Monthly Magazine''. The first number appeared in April 1817 ...
'', wrote a series of essays entitled ''Religious Characteristics'', and published '' The Captive of Fez'', a narrative poem, in 1830.[
Between 1832 and 1833, Aird acted as the editor of the '']Edinburgh Weekly Journal
Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...
'', succeeding James Ballantyne
James Ballantyne (15 January 1772 – 26 January 1833) was a Scottish solicitor, editor and publisher who worked for his friend Sir Walter Scott. His brother John Ballantyne (1774–1821) was also with the publishing firm, which is noted fo ...
. From 1835, he was the editor of the '' Dumfriesshire and Galloway Herald'', a post he continued to hold for 28 years.[
In 1848, he published a collection of his poetry, which was very well received. His last main literary work was editing an edition of the works of ]David Macbeth Moir
David Macbeth Moir (5 January 17986 July 1851) was a Scottish physician and writer.
Biography
Moir was born at Musselburgh on 5 January 1798, the son of Elizabeth Macbeth (1767–1842) and Robert Moir (''d''. 1842). He was educated at Muss ...
in 1852. In 1863, he retired from editorship of the ''Herald''.[
]
Personal life and death
Aird's friends included De Quincey
Thomas Penson De Quincey (; 15 August 17858 December 1859) was an English writer, essayist, and literary critic, best known for his ''Confessions of an English Opium-Eater'' (1821). Many scholars suggest that in publishing this work De Quince ...
, Lockhart Lockhart may refer to:
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Australia
*Lockhart, New South Wales
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, Stanley
Stanley may refer to:
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(afterwards dean of Westminster) and Motherwell.[
]
See also
*Scottish literature
Scottish literature is literature written in Scotland or by Scottish writers. It includes works in English, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, Brythonic, French, Latin, Norn or other languages written within the modern boundaries of Scotland.
The earli ...
References
Bibliography
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aird, Thomas
Scottish poets
1802 births
1876 deaths
19th-century Scottish people
19th-century poets