Alexander Ross (poet) facts for kids

Alexander Ross (born April 13, 1699 – died May 20, 1784) was a well-known Scottish poet. He lived a long life, mostly working as a teacher in a small village. He is best remembered for his long poem, Helenore, or the Fortunate Shepherdess.

Who Was Alexander Ross?

Alexander Ross was born in Torphins, Aberdeenshire, to a family of farmers. He went to college at Marischal College in Aberdeen. After finishing his studies, he worked as a private teacher. He taught the children of Sir William Forbes, who lived at Craigievar Castle.

Life as a Headmaster

In 1732, Alexander Ross moved to Lochlee, a village in Angus. He became the headmaster of the local school there. He lived in Lochlee for the rest of his life, until he passed away in 1784.

His Famous Poem

Alexander Ross enjoyed writing poems just for fun. But in 1768, a friend named James Beattie suggested he publish one. So, Ross shared his most famous work, Helenore, or the Fortunate Shepherdess, with the world.

Ross also admired an older Scottish poet from the 1500s, Alexander Montgomerie. Around 1753, Ross wrote a poem called "A Dream in Imitation of the Cherrie and the Slae." However, this poem was never published.

Remembering Alexander Ross

Around 1854, a special memorial was put up for Alexander Ross. It is in the old churchyard of Lochlee, in Glen Esk, Angus. This is where he is buried.

Why Was Alexander Ross Important?

Many people admired Alexander Ross's writing style. One very famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns, spoke highly of him. Burns said that Ross had a special way with words. He felt Ross's poems had a "wild happiness" and were "peculiarly beautiful."

Burns believed that Ross, along with a few others, kept the old Scottish song style alive. He saw Ross as one of the few modern poets who truly captured that unique Scottish spirit in their writing.