Poet. Born the son of a farmer in the parish of Kincardine O'Neil (Aberdeenshire), Ross was educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen, graduating in 1718. For a time he was tutor to the children of Sir William Forbes of Craigievar and went on to teach at Aboyne and Laurencekirk. In 1732, he was appointed the school-master at Lochlee in Glen Esk (Angus) where he was to remain for the rest of his life. He began composing poetry in Scots for his own amusement but was persuaded to publish a collection entitled The Fortunate Shepherdess in 1768 by the influential poet James Beattie (1735 - 1803). Ross was praised by Robert Burns (1759-86) and quoted by Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832).
Ross died at Lochlee, where he is buried. Ross himself wrote several of the inscriptions on the old stones in the parish churchyard where he himself lies.
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