Kirk, Robert, 1644-1692 (Folklorist and Church minister)
Dates
- Existence: 1644 - 1692
Biography
The Gaelic scholar Robert Kirk was born, probably in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, in 1641. He studied at Edinburgh University graduating with an MA in 1661, and then at St. Andrews. In 1664 he became the Minister at Balquhidder, Perthshire, and then Minister at Aberfoyle in 1685. Kirk was the author of the first complete translation of the Scottish metrical Psalms into Gaelic. These were published as Psalma Dhaibhidh an Meadrachd, Edinburgh (1684). In 1689 he went to London to supervise the printing of the Gaelic Bible prepared under the direction of Bishop Bedell. This was published in 1690. Kirk was a believer in fairy superstitions and wrote The secret commonwealth; or an essay on the nature and actions of the subterranean (and for the most part) invisible people heretofoir going under the name of faunes and fairies, or the lyke, among the low country Scots, as they are described by those who have the second sight (1691). Robert Kirk died at Aberfoyle on 14 May 1692 and is buried in the churchyard there.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Secret Commonwealth, 1692
'The Secret Common-wealth', a treatise on fairy folklore, witchcraft, ghosts, fauns etc. 'Done for the satisfaction of his friends, by a modest inquirer living amoung the Scotish-Irish.'
Non-autograph copy; Possibly more than one hand; Marked, “This book belongs to Robert Campbell”
The Secret Commonwealth
18th century copy of Robert Kirk's 'Secret Commonwealth', a treatise on fairy folklore, witchcraft, ghosts, fauns etc, bound by William Henderson in 1814 (according to note on end paper).
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- Subject: Folklore X
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