Robert Davidson (poet)
Encyclopedia
Robert Davidson was a Scottish
poet
and labourer, whose writings give a rare glimpse into the life of the rural labouring poor at the beginning of the 19th century.
He was born at Lempitlaw in the historic County of Roxburgh (the modern Scottish Borders
), later moving to the village of Morebattle
. Despite the harsh existence of agricultural labour and having to support a family, Davidson managed to publish three collections of poems during his lifetime. His third collection, Leaves from a Peasant's Cottage Drawer, was published in Edinburgh
in 1848 by James Hogg, the son of the 'Ettrick Shepherd
' author.
In June 2008 a memorial plaque was unveiled in Morebattle churchyard where Davidson is buried, and Leaves from a Peasant's Cottage Drawer was republished, 160 years after its first edition.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and labourer, whose writings give a rare glimpse into the life of the rural labouring poor at the beginning of the 19th century.
He was born at Lempitlaw in the historic County of Roxburgh (the modern Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland...
), later moving to the village of Morebattle
Morebattle
Morebattle is a village in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, on the B6401, seven miles south of Kelso, Scottish Borders, beside the Kale Water, a tributary of the River Teviot.The nearby Linton Loch was drained in the 19th century to improve agriculture....
. Despite the harsh existence of agricultural labour and having to support a family, Davidson managed to publish three collections of poems during his lifetime. His third collection, Leaves from a Peasant's Cottage Drawer, was published in 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...
in 1848 by James Hogg, the son of the 'Ettrick Shepherd
James Hogg
James Hogg was a Scottish poet and novelist who wrote in both Scots and English.-Early life:James Hogg was born in a small farm near Ettrick, Scotland in 1770 and was baptized there on 9 December, his actual date of birth having never been recorded...
' author.
In June 2008 a memorial plaque was unveiled in Morebattle churchyard where Davidson is buried, and Leaves from a Peasant's Cottage Drawer was republished, 160 years after its first edition.