Robert Mylne (writer) facts for kids
Robert Mylne (born around November 1643 – died 21 November 1747) was a Scottish writer and a person who studied old things (an antiquary). He was known for writing in Edinburgh and was also an engraver, someone who carves designs onto metal plates.
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About Robert Mylne's Work
Robert Mylne became well-known for his strong and often funny or critical writings. These writings, called squibs or pasquils, were like short, sharp poems or songs. He often wrote them against a political group called the Whigs.
But Mylne didn't just write political poems. He also spent a lot of time and effort copying old manuscripts. These were handwritten documents that contained important historical information. He was very interested in the history of Scotland.
His Love for History
A writer named George Crawfurd thanked Mylne in his book, History of the Shire of Renfrew. Crawfurd said he learned a lot from Mylne's "vast collections of public records." This shows how much Mylne helped others learn about Scottish history. Mylne was known for being very dedicated to studying old Scottish things. One of his friends was Archibald Pitcairne.
His Family Life
Robert Mylne was likely born in November 1643. He might have been related to Sir Robert Mylne of Barnton. He got married on 29 August 1678, in Edinburgh, to Barbara Govean. She was the daughter of John Govean, a minister from Muckhart, Perthshire. Barbara passed away on 11 December 1725. They had twelve children together, but sadly, all of them except one daughter named Margaret died before their father.
His Son, Robert Mylne
Mylne's oldest son, also named Robert, became an engraver just like his father. He created the pictures for books like Sir Robert Sibbald's Miscellanea Quaedam Eruditae Antiquitatis and Alexander Nisbet's System of Heraldry.
Robert Mylne's Writings
Many of Robert Mylne's critical poems (pasquils) were printed and shared during his lifetime. Others were only passed around as handwritten copies.
Published Collections
Later, Mylne's son Robert collected many of these writings. From this collection, a person named James Maidment published a book called A Book of Scottish Pasquils in 1827. This book also included some similar writings by other authors. Another edition of the book came out in 1868.
You can find a pamphlet that seems to be written by Mylne in the Advocates' Library in Edinburgh. It's called The Oath of Abjuration Considered and was published in 1712. The library also has a full list of all the printed papers Mylne created.
Later Years and Passing
Robert Mylne passed away in Edinburgh on 21 November 1747. Some records say he was 103 years old, while others say he was 105. He was buried on the same day as his birthday.
