William Drummond of Hawthornden


1585 - 1649

Poet. Born at Hawthornden Castle (Midlothian), Drummond was educated at the Old High School and then the University in Edinburgh, thereafter studying law in France. He was an ardent royalist and wrote in English rather than Scots. His most notable works include Teares on the Death of Meliades (1613), in memory of Prince Henry (1594 - 1612), eldest son and heir of King James VI (1566 - 1625), Poems: Amorous, Funerall, Divine, Pastorall in Sonnets, Songs, Sextains, Madrigals (1616), Flowers of Sion (1623), The Entertainment (1633) and The Cypress Grove.

His death was hastened by news of the execution of King Charles I (1600-49), which he reflected on in his last sonnet, published posthumously, which again revealed his royalist leanings. He is buried in Lasswade Old Churchyard.

He left his significant collection of books to form the core of the library in the University of Edinburgh.


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