Tennant, William, 1784-1848 (Scholar of oriental languages and poet)
Dates
- Existence: 1784 - 1848
Biography
Tennant, William (1784–1848), scholar of oriental languages and poet, was born in Anstruther, Fife. He lost the use of both feet in childhood, and used crutches throughout his life. He studied at St Andrews University for two years (1799-1801), but left before graduating, for financial reasons. He began the study of Hebrew about this time, while continuing to improve on his knowledge of Latin and Greek. However, his chief interest was in poetry, and with Anster Fair (1812) he found instant fame, although his later poems were not so well received. In 1813 he formed, along with others, the Anstruther Musomanik Society, the main purpose of which was to recite verse, much of which was freshly composed for the meetings. In 1813 Tennant was appointed parish schoolmaster of Dunino, near St Andrews, and this enabled him to develop his Hebrew scholarship and gain a knowledge of Arabic, Persian, and Syriac. In 1819 he began teaching classical and oriental languages at the Dollar Academy, Clackmannanshire, and held the post until 1834, when he was appointed professor of Hebrew and oriental languages in St Mary's College, St Andrews. He retired, owing to ill health, in 1848, and died later that year (ODNB). Edinburgh University Library holds Tennant's MS extracts in various languages 'taken from his wide reading', begun in 1815, and also donated to the Library by David Laing (La.III.531)
Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:
Letter: [18--] to David Laing / Wm. Tennant., 19th century
After the death of David Laing, his private library was sold in an auction occupying thirty-one days. His collection of charters and other papers is of national importance and the most distinguished of its kind in any Scottish university. It is an essential source for the 18th century, and a much used one for all periods of Scottish history from the earliest times. The Laing Collection falls into five sections, designated as La.I., La.II., La.III., La.IV., and La.V.
Letter: 1823 Apr. 11, Dallan Academy, to William Laing / Wm. Tennant., 1823
After the death of David Laing, his private library was sold in an auction occupying thirty-one days. His collection of charters and other papers is of national importance and the most distinguished of its kind in any Scottish university. It is an essential source for the 18th century, and a much used one for all periods of Scottish history from the earliest times. The Laing Collection falls into five sections, designated as La.I., La.II., La.III., La.IV., and La.V.
Letter: 1833 Oct. 31, Devongrove, Dallan, to David Laing, Edin. / Wm. Tennant., 1833
After the death of David Laing, his private library was sold in an auction occupying thirty-one days. His collection of charters and other papers is of national importance and the most distinguished of its kind in any Scottish university. It is an essential source for the 18th century, and a much used one for all periods of Scottish history from the earliest times. The Laing Collection falls into five sections, designated as La.I., La.II., La.III., La.IV., and La.V.
Letter: 1833 Sept. 3, Dallan, to David Laing, Edin. / Wm. Tennant., 1833
After the death of David Laing, his private library was sold in an auction occupying thirty-one days. His collection of charters and other papers is of national importance and the most distinguished of its kind in any Scottish university. It is an essential source for the 18th century, and a much used one for all periods of Scottish history from the earliest times. The Laing Collection falls into five sections, designated as La.I., La.II., La.III., La.IV., and La.V.
Letter: 1835 Aug. 19, Devongrove, Dallan, to David Laing / Wm. Tennant., 1835
After the death of David Laing, his private library was sold in an auction occupying thirty-one days. His collection of charters and other papers is of national importance and the most distinguished of its kind in any Scottish university. It is an essential source for the 18th century, and a much used one for all periods of Scottish history from the earliest times. The Laing Collection falls into five sections, designated as La.I., La.II., La.III., La.IV., and La.V.
Letter: 1837 May 17, Devongrove, Dallan, to David Laing / Wm. Tennant., 1837
After the death of David Laing, his private library was sold in an auction occupying thirty-one days. His collection of charters and other papers is of national importance and the most distinguished of its kind in any Scottish university. It is an essential source for the 18th century, and a much used one for all periods of Scottish history from the earliest times. The Laing Collection falls into five sections, designated as La.I., La.II., La.III., La.IV., and La.V.
Letter: 1845 June 25, Devongrove, Dallan, to David Laing / Wm. Tennant., 1845
After the death of David Laing, his private library was sold in an auction occupying thirty-one days. His collection of charters and other papers is of national importance and the most distinguished of its kind in any Scottish university. It is an essential source for the 18th century, and a much used one for all periods of Scottish history from the earliest times. The Laing Collection falls into five sections, designated as La.I., La.II., La.III., La.IV., and La.V.
Poem handwritten by Tennant / Wm. Tennant., 1824
After the death of David Laing, his private library was sold in an auction occupying thirty-one days. His collection of charters and other papers is of national importance and the most distinguished of its kind in any Scottish university. It is an essential source for the 18th century, and a much used one for all periods of Scottish history from the earliest times. The Laing Collection falls into five sections, designated as La.I., La.II., La.III., La.IV., and La.V.
Testimonial handwritten by Tennant supporting David Laing's application for the post of Signet Librarian / Wm. Tennant., 1837
After the death of David Laing, his private library was sold in an auction occupying thirty-one days. His collection of charters and other papers is of national importance and the most distinguished of its kind in any Scottish university. It is an essential source for the 18th century, and a much used one for all periods of Scottish history from the earliest times. The Laing Collection falls into five sections, designated as La.I., La.II., La.III., La.IV., and La.V.
گلستان Gulistān, 1206 A.H., 1791 C.E.
This is a complete copy of the famous Gulistān by Persian poet Shaykh Sa‘dī Shīrāzī (d. 691 A.H., 1292 C.E.).