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Poems of William Hamilton of Bangour, Esq., ca. 1730-1750

 Item
Identifier: La.III.451

Scope and Contents

Manuscript collection containing poems of poet and soldier William Hamilton of Bangour (1704-1754). The most comprehensive edition of Hamilton's poems (1850) is based on this manuscript.

Dates

  • Creation: ca. 1730-1750

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Contact the repository for details

Biographical / Historical

An Edinburgh alumnus, the poet and soldier William Hamilton of Bangour (1704-1754) counted David Hume, Adam Smith, Lord Kames, and Allan Ramsay among his friends. Hamilton played a significant and acclaimed role in the Scots Vernacular Revival, helping to absorb folk forms into high literary culture. At the same time, though, he was writing privately circulated pro-Jacobite verses, which remained unpublished during his lifetime. In 1745, he joined the Jacobite army and became its official poet. He fought at the battle of Prestonpans and wrote an ode celebrating the Jacobite victory. After Culloden, he went into hiding, eventually making his way into exile in France. He died of consumption in Lyon on the 25th of March 1754.

Extent

1 manuscript

Related Materials

Bibliography

James Paterson ed., The Poems and Songs of William Hamilton of Bangour (Edinburgh: T.G. Stevenson, 1850)

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379