Anna Hume facts for kids

Anna Hume (who was active around 1644) was a talented Scottish writer, poet, and translator. She is known for helping to publish her father's important history book and for translating poems from Italian into English.

Anna was the daughter of David Hume of Godscroft, a famous poet and historian from the time of King James I. After her father passed away, Anna made sure his big book, History of the House and Race of Douglas and Angus, was published. She also translated poems by the famous Italian poet Petrarch, which were published as The Triumphs of Love, Chastitie, Death. People also say she translated many of her father's poems from Latin.

There was some disagreement about her father's history book. William Douglas, 11th Earl of Angus, who was the head of the Douglas family, wasn't happy with it. He thought some parts were not quite right. He asked another writer, Drummond of Hawthornden, for his opinion. Drummond agreed there were some issues, but he didn't want to stop the book from being published. He felt it would be unfair to Anna, who had spent a lot of her money to get it printed. Drummond also greatly admired Anna's own poetry, calling her a "pregnant and rare a wit" (meaning very clever and talented).

Anna Hume's Family History

Anna Hume's father, David Hume of Godscroft, was a well-known Scottish historian, poet, and political figure. Her grandfather, David Hume of Wedderburn, was a brave soldier. He fought in many battles in Scotland, like the battle of Ancrum Moor in 1545 and the battle of Pinkie in 1547. He was even captured by the English at Dalkeith Castle and was a prisoner for two years until his family paid a ransom. He also supported Mary, Queen of Scots at Carberry Hill.

Anna's grandmother, Mariota Johnstone, was known as "The Good Lady Wedderburn." She was famous for her kindness and charity work in the community. Not much is known about Anna's mother's family.

Anna's great-grandfather, also named David Hume, was a soldier too. He was at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, where his father and older brother were killed. He also led his family's group against the Duke of Albany in border fights. He is remembered for an event in 1517 when he was involved in the killing of a French leader, Antoine d'Arces de la Bastle. He married Alison Douglas.

Anna Hume's Life Story

We don't know much about Anna Hume's personal life. Her exact birth and death dates are a mystery. Historians believe she lived from the late 1500s to the mid-to-late 1600s. She came from an important family and grew up in Wedderburn Castle in Scotland.

Anna Hume's Published Works

Anna Hume is thought to have translated most, if not all, of her father's poems from Latin. One of the biggest fans of her work was the poet Drummond of Hawthornden. He even wrote a letter to her, calling her "The Learned and Worthy Gentlewoman." This letter shows that Anna had written some complimentary poems about Drummond, which he greatly appreciated.

The Douglas and Angus History Book

After her father died, Anna Hume worked hard to get his book, History of the Houses of Douglas and Angus, printed in 1644. She wanted to honor her father and believed the book was very important. She had it printed in Edinburgh by Evan Tyler, who was the king's printer. It was a large book with 440 pages.

Anna wanted to dedicate the book to the Marquis of Douglas, since it was about his family. She sent him an early copy and asked for his permission. The book told the story of the Douglas family up to the death of Archibald Douglas, 8th Earl of Angus.

However, William Douglas, 11th Earl of Angus, was not happy with the book. He felt it had some mistakes and strong opinions. He believed Anna's father had put his own political ideas into the story. He thought the book praised some rebellions by the Douglas family against the king.

Historians think that the Marquis of Douglas might have been working on his own version of his father's history. He tried to stop or delay Anna's book from being published. He asked Drummond of Hawthornden for advice. Drummond wrote a letter to the Marquis, explaining that he had read the book. He noted that the book contained ideas that could be seen as supporting rebellion. However, he also advised the Marquis that it wouldn't harm his family's reputation if the book was published. He suggested that the Marquis could publish a new edition later, fixing any errors and adding an apology for what was printed first.

Anna Hume's Triumphs Poems

Anna Hume also translated the first three poems from Petrarch's famous work, Trionfi (which means "Triumphs"). In 1644, the same printer, Evan Tyler, published Anna's translation: The Triumphs of Love, Chastitie, Death: Translated Out of Petrarch by Mrs. Anna Hume.

Historians believe that working on her father's book helped Anna connect with a printer, which then led her to publish her own poetry. It was quite unusual for women from important families to become professional writers at that time.

The three poems she translated are called "The Triumph of Love," "The Triumph of Death," and "The Triumph of Chastity." Her translation of "The Triumph of Love" is a series of six poems that celebrate Petrarch's love for a woman named Laura.

Anna Hume wrote her poems using rhyming couplets (two lines that rhyme). However, her sentences often flowed across several rhyming pairs, making her style unique. Here are some lines from her translation of "The Triumph of Death":

The glorious Maid, whose soul to Heaven is gone

And left the rest cold earth, she who was grown

A pillar of true valor, and had gain’d

Much honour by her victory, and chain’d

That God which doth the world with terror bind,

Using no armour but her own chaste mind.

Her translation was generally seen as very accurate and full of spirit. People thought it was well done. A copy of this work can be found in the British Museum.