Walter Young (minister) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walter Young |
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|---|---|
| Church | Church of Scotland |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 1814 (aged 68–69) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
Walter Young (1745 – 6 August 1814) was a Scottish minister who lived in the late 1700s and early 1800s. He is mostly remembered for his love of music and for collecting Scottish songs. He was also an important influence on the famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns.
Walter Young was especially interested in "luinigs." These were short, repeated songs from the Western Isles of Scotland. People sang luinigs while doing daily tasks at home, like weaving or grinding grain.
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Who Was Walter Young?
Walter Young was born in Haddington, Scotland, in 1745. His father, David Young, was the head teacher of the local grammar school. Walter had a younger sister named Anne, who was also very musical. Anne was a music teacher and even invented board games to help children learn music.
Becoming a Minister
Walter Young became a minister in the Church of Scotland. He was allowed to preach in 1769. He officially became a minister in Haddington. In 1771, he moved to become the minister of Erskine Parish Church.
His Work with Music
Walter Young loved Scottish songs and spent a lot of time collecting them. He worked with his friends, John Ramsay of Ochtertyre and Reverend Patrick MacDonald. They collected many traditional songs together. The famous poet Robert Burns even asked Walter Young for help with some songs. Many of the "Traditional" songs that Burns wrote down likely came from Walter Young's collection.
Royal Society of Edinburgh
In 1784, Walter Young was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a group of important thinkers and scientists in Scotland. People become Fellows because of their achievements and contributions to knowledge. He was suggested for this honor by important people like Andrew Dalzell, William Robertson, and Alexander Carlyle.
His Final Years
Walter Young passed away on 6 August 1814, at the Erskine manse, which was the minister's house. He is buried in the Old Erskine Parish churchyard. His grave is marked by a tall stone monument called an obelisk.
