Alexander Campbell (musician and writer)
Encyclopedia
Alexander Campbell was a Scottish musician
and miscellaneous writer
.
Campbell was born in 1764 at Tombea, Loch Lubnaig
, and first educated at the grammar school
, Callander
, was the second son of a carpenter
who, falling into straitened circumstances, removed to Edinburgh
, where he died when Alexander was eleven years old. The family was supported by John, the eldest son, afterwards a well-known Edinburgh character (John Campbell
died 1795, was precentor
at the Canongate
church, and a friend of Burns; his picture appears thrice in Kay’s ‘Portraits’). The two brothers were pupils of Tenducci, then a music teacher in Edinburgh, who helped to establish them both in his own profession. Campbell was appointed organist to an ‘episcopalian chapel in the neighbourhood of Nicholson Street.’ He also gave lessons in singing
. Among his pupils were the Scotts. But the lads had no taste for the subject; the master had no patience. The result was that ‘our neighbour, Lady Cunningham, sent to beg the boys might not all be flogged precisely at the same hour, as, though she had no doubt the punishment was deserved, the noise of the concord was really dreadful’ (Notes to Scott’s Autobiography, in chap. i. of LOCKHART’S Life). While a teacher he published ‘Twelve Songs set to Music’ (1785?) About the time he became engaged in quarrel with Kay, whom he ridiculed in a sketch. This procured him a place in Kay’s ‘Portraits,’ where he is represented turning a hand organ while asses bray, a dog howls, a bagpipe is blown, and a saw sharpened as an accompaniment (vol. ii. print 204).
Campbell married twice at a comparatively early age. His second wife was the widow of Ranald Macdonald
of Keppoch. Thinking that the connection thus formed might be useful in procuring an appointment, he resigned his music teaching and studied medicine at the university of Edinburgh
. Though in 1798 he announced ‘A Free and Impartial Inquiry into the Present State of Medical Knowledge’ (a work apparently never published), he does not seem to have practised his new profession, but to have devoted himself to literary work. At this period he wrote ‘Odes and Miscellaneous Poems, by a student of medicine at the university of Edinburgh’ (Edinburgh, 1796), and also published some drawings of highland scenery made on the spot. Campbell’s next work was ‘An Introduction to the History of Poetry in Scotland’ (Edinburgh, 1798). This contains a collection of Scotch songs; it was illustrated by David Allen
, and decicated to H. Fuseli. It is written in a curiously stilted style but contains much information about contemporary poets and poetasters. Though only ninety copies were printed, it excited some notice. L. T. Rosegarten supplements his translation (Lübeck
and Leipzig
, 1802) of T. Garnett’s ‘Tour in the Highlands,’ 1800, with information drawn from it. Rosegarten specially commends the views therein expressed about Ossian, the authenticity of whose poem Campbell stoutly maintained. Campbell now produced ‘A Journey from Edinburgh through parts of North Britain [1802, new edition 1811], with drawings made on the spot’ by the writer. This is an interesting and even valuable picture of the state of many parts of the country at the beginning of the century. It was followed by ‘The Grampians Desolate, a poem in six books’ (Edinburgh, 1804). More than half of this work, which is without literary merit, consists of notes. Its object was to call attention to the ‘deplorable condition’ of the highlands, brought about by the introduction of sheep-farming. A melancholy incident recorded in a note to page 11 led to the establishment of the Edinburgh Destitute Sick Society. After some interval there appeared ‘Albyn’s Anthology, or a select collection of the melodies and vocal poetry of Scotland, peculiar to Scotland and the Isles, hitherto unpublished’ (2 vols. Edinburgh, 1816 and 1818). Campbell had projected this work since 1790, but it was not till Henry Mackenzie
, Walter Scott
(who obtained the prince regent’s acceptance of the dedication of the book), and other Edinburgh men of note, gave him their help that the project was carried out. A grant was obtained from the Highland Society, and the author travelled between eleven and twelve hundred miles in collecting materials (preface). Among the contributors of verse are Scott, Hogg, Jamieson, and Alexander Boswell
. In the ‘Anthology’ (p. 66) Campbell claims the authorship of the well-known air usually joined to Tannahill’s ‘Gloomy Winter’s nou awa’;’ but the claim has been disputed (ANDERSON, Scottish Nation).
In the last years of his life Campbell fell into great poverty
, and obtained his living chiefly by copying manuscripts for his old pupil Scott, though ‘even from his patron he would take no more than he thought his services as a transcriber fairly earned.’ Scott, however, tells a half-pitiful story of a dinner which Archibald Constable
gave to ‘his own circle of literary serfs,’ when ‘poor Allister Campbell and another drudge of the same class’ ran a race for a new pair of breeches, which were there displayed ‘before the threadbare rivals.’ Scott thought the picture might be highly coloured, and at any rate Constable bestowed on him ‘many substantial benefits,’ as he gratefully acknowledges in a letter written the year before his death, which took place from an attack of apoplexy
15 May 1824. His manuscripts were sold ‘under judicial authority.’ Among them was a tragedy, which was never published. Campbell was a warm-hearted and accomplished, though somewhat unpractical, man. Scott, who wrote an obituary notice of him in the ‘Edinburgh Weekly Journal,’ says that, though his acquirements were considerable, ‘they did not reach that point of perfection which the public demand of those who expect to derive bread from the practice of the fine arts.’ [310]
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and miscellaneous writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
.
Campbell was born in 1764 at Tombea, Loch Lubnaig
Loch Lubnaig
Loch Lubnaig is a small loch near Callander in the Stirling council area, Scotland. It lies in the former county of Perthshire....
, and first educated at the grammar school
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
, Callander
Callander
Callander is a burgh in the region of Stirling, Scotland, situated on the River Teith. The town is located in the former county of Perthshire and is a popular tourist stop to and from the Highlands....
, was the second son of a carpenter
Carpenter
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
who, falling into straitened circumstances, removed to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, where he died when Alexander was eleven years old. The family was supported by John, the eldest son, afterwards a well-known Edinburgh character (John Campbell
John Campbell
- British political figures :* John Campbell, 1st Earl of Loudoun , Lord Chancellor of Scotland, President of the Privy Council* John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll , Scottish soldier, Lord Steward, Lord Lieutenant of Surrey...
died 1795, was precentor
Precentor
A precentor is a person who helps facilitate worship. The details vary depending on the religion, denomination, and era in question. The Latin derivation is "præcentor", from cantor, meaning "the one who sings before" ....
at the Canongate
Canongate
The Canongate is a small district at the heart of Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland.The name derives from the main street running through the area: called Canongate without the definite article, "the". Canongate forms the lower, eastern half of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh's historic Old Town....
church, and a friend of Burns; his picture appears thrice in Kay’s ‘Portraits’). The two brothers were pupils of Tenducci, then a music teacher in Edinburgh, who helped to establish them both in his own profession. Campbell was appointed organist to an ‘episcopalian chapel in the neighbourhood of Nicholson Street.’ He also gave lessons in singing
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
. Among his pupils were the Scotts. But the lads had no taste for the subject; the master had no patience. The result was that ‘our neighbour, Lady Cunningham, sent to beg the boys might not all be flogged precisely at the same hour, as, though she had no doubt the punishment was deserved, the noise of the concord was really dreadful’ (Notes to Scott’s Autobiography, in chap. i. of LOCKHART’S Life). While a teacher he published ‘Twelve Songs set to Music’ (1785?) About the time he became engaged in quarrel with Kay, whom he ridiculed in a sketch. This procured him a place in Kay’s ‘Portraits,’ where he is represented turning a hand organ while asses bray, a dog howls, a bagpipe is blown, and a saw sharpened as an accompaniment (vol. ii. print 204).
Campbell married twice at a comparatively early age. His second wife was the widow of Ranald Macdonald
Ranald MacDonald
Ranald MacDonald was the first man to teach the English language in Japan, including educating Einosuke Moriyama, one of the chief interpreters to handle the negotiations between Commodore Perry and the Tokugawa Shogunate.-Early life:MacDonald was born at Fort Astoria, in the Pacific Northwest of...
of Keppoch. Thinking that the connection thus formed might be useful in procuring an appointment, he resigned his music teaching and studied medicine at the university of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
. Though in 1798 he announced ‘A Free and Impartial Inquiry into the Present State of Medical Knowledge’ (a work apparently never published), he does not seem to have practised his new profession, but to have devoted himself to literary work. At this period he wrote ‘Odes and Miscellaneous Poems, by a student of medicine at the university of Edinburgh’ (Edinburgh, 1796), and also published some drawings of highland scenery made on the spot. Campbell’s next work was ‘An Introduction to the History of Poetry in Scotland’ (Edinburgh, 1798). This contains a collection of Scotch songs; it was illustrated by David Allen
David Allen
David Allen, Dave Allen, David Allan, or Dave Allan may refer to:-Acting, entertainment and broadcasting:* Dave Allen , Irish comedian* Dave Allen , American television and film actor...
, and decicated to H. Fuseli. It is written in a curiously stilted style but contains much information about contemporary poets and poetasters. Though only ninety copies were printed, it excited some notice. L. T. Rosegarten supplements his translation (Lübeck
Lübeck
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck is the second-largest city in Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany, and one of the major ports of Germany. It was for several centuries the "capital" of the Hanseatic League and, because of its Brick Gothic architectural heritage, is listed by UNESCO as a World...
and Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
, 1802) of T. Garnett’s ‘Tour in the Highlands,’ 1800, with information drawn from it. Rosegarten specially commends the views therein expressed about Ossian, the authenticity of whose poem Campbell stoutly maintained. Campbell now produced ‘A Journey from Edinburgh through parts of North Britain [1802, new edition 1811], with drawings made on the spot’ by the writer. This is an interesting and even valuable picture of the state of many parts of the country at the beginning of the century. It was followed by ‘The Grampians Desolate, a poem in six books’ (Edinburgh, 1804). More than half of this work, which is without literary merit, consists of notes. Its object was to call attention to the ‘deplorable condition’ of the highlands, brought about by the introduction of sheep-farming. A melancholy incident recorded in a note to page 11 led to the establishment of the Edinburgh Destitute Sick Society. After some interval there appeared ‘Albyn’s Anthology, or a select collection of the melodies and vocal poetry of Scotland, peculiar to Scotland and the Isles, hitherto unpublished’ (2 vols. Edinburgh, 1816 and 1818). Campbell had projected this work since 1790, but it was not till Henry Mackenzie
Henry Mackenzie
Henry Mackenzie was a Scottish novelist and miscellaneous writer. He was also known by the sobriquet "Addison of the North."-Biography:Mackenzie was born in Edinburgh....
, Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
(who obtained the prince regent’s acceptance of the dedication of the book), and other Edinburgh men of note, gave him their help that the project was carried out. A grant was obtained from the Highland Society, and the author travelled between eleven and twelve hundred miles in collecting materials (preface). Among the contributors of verse are Scott, Hogg, Jamieson, and Alexander Boswell
Alexander Boswell
Alexander Boswell may refer to:* Alexander Boswell, Lord Auchinleck , 8th Laird of Auchinleck, Scottish judge* Sir Alexander Boswell, 1st Baronet, 10th Laird of Auchinleck, writer of traditional Scottish songs*Alexander Boswell...
. In the ‘Anthology’ (p. 66) Campbell claims the authorship of the well-known air usually joined to Tannahill’s ‘Gloomy Winter’s nou awa’;’ but the claim has been disputed (ANDERSON, Scottish Nation).
In the last years of his life Campbell fell into great poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
, and obtained his living chiefly by copying manuscripts for his old pupil Scott, though ‘even from his patron he would take no more than he thought his services as a transcriber fairly earned.’ Scott, however, tells a half-pitiful story of a dinner which Archibald Constable
Archibald Constable
Archibald Constable was a Scottish publisher, bookseller and stationer.He was born at Carnbee, Fife, as the son of the land steward to the Earl of Kellie. In 1788 Archibald was apprenticed to Peter Hill, an Edinburgh bookseller, but in 1795 he started in business for himself as a dealer in rare...
gave to ‘his own circle of literary serfs,’ when ‘poor Allister Campbell and another drudge of the same class’ ran a race for a new pair of breeches, which were there displayed ‘before the threadbare rivals.’ Scott thought the picture might be highly coloured, and at any rate Constable bestowed on him ‘many substantial benefits,’ as he gratefully acknowledges in a letter written the year before his death, which took place from an attack of apoplexy
Apoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
15 May 1824. His manuscripts were sold ‘under judicial authority.’ Among them was a tragedy, which was never published. Campbell was a warm-hearted and accomplished, though somewhat unpractical, man. Scott, who wrote an obituary notice of him in the ‘Edinburgh Weekly Journal,’ says that, though his acquirements were considerable, ‘they did not reach that point of perfection which the public demand of those who expect to derive bread from the practice of the fine arts.’ [310]