Robert Alves facts for kids

Robert Alves (1745–1794) was a Scottish poet and writer. He lived in the 1700s and was known for his poems and other writings.

Early Life and Education

Robert Alves was born in Elgin, Scotland, on December 11, 1745. Even though his family didn't have much money, he was a very bright boy. He went to the Elgin grammar school and worked hard.

Later, he went to Marischal College in Aberdeen. He was so good that he won the highest scholarship (called a bursary) in his year. While studying there, he wrote a poem called 'Elegy on Time'. This poem helped him become friends with Professor Beattie, who taught at the college.

Teaching Career

After college, Robert Alves became a teacher. First, he taught at a local school in Banffshire. Then, he worked as a private tutor for a wealthy family. He was even offered a job as a minister in the Church of Scotland.

However, Alves chose to be the headmaster of the Banff grammar school. He held this job from 1773 to 1779. Even though the pay was lower, he preferred teaching.

Moving to Edinburgh

In 1779, Robert Alves moved to Edinburgh. He taught many subjects there, including ancient Greek and Latin (called classics) and several modern languages. He also worked for booksellers in Edinburgh, translating books and putting together different writings.

Published Works

Robert Alves wrote several books and poems during his life.

• In 1780, he published 'Ode to Britannia'. This poem celebrated the bravery of Scottish soldiers fighting in America.
• In 1782, he released a collection simply titled 'Poems'.
• In 1789, he published 'Edinburgh, a poem in two parts'. This poem described the city of Edinburgh and its people. In the same book, he included 'The Weeping Bard', a long poem that shared many of his own life experiences.

Later Life and Legacy

Robert Alves passed away suddenly on June 1, 1794. He was working on a new book when he died. This book was published in the same year and was called 'Sketches of the History of Literature'. It included information about famous writers from different times and places, along with thoughts on their work. A Scottish judge named Lord Gardenstone helped make sure the book was published and even added some of his own ideas to it.