Robert Fergusson Scottish poet Date of Birth: 05.09.1750 Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career and Influence
3. Decline and Death

Early Life and Education

Robert Fergusson was born on September 5, 1750, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He came from a simple family with many siblings. Fergusson received his education at a grammar school in Dundee and at the University of St Andrews. He showed great promise but was unable to fulfill his potential due to poverty and poor health.

Career and Influence

After leaving university, Fergusson became a clerk in a judicial office, where he worked for the remaining years of his life. His early poetry followed the pastoral tradition of the 18th century, but he soon turned to the specificities of Scottish life, following in the footsteps of Allan Ramsay (1686–1758) and anticipating Robert Burns.

Fergusson's success and failures as a poet revolved around the broader issue of the close connection between Scottish and English literature. The question at hand was whether a Scottish poet should imitate the conventions and language of English poetry, such as the courtly allegory of the 15th century or the artificial pastoral of the 18th century, or write about the real life of his own country in the native language. Fergusson chose the latter and achieved both impressive and questionable successes.

Decline and Death

Unfortunately, Fergusson's relentless poverty and health problems eventually led to his mental breakdown. He suffered from mental illness and was ultimately institutionalized. Fergusson passed away in Edinburgh on October 16, 1774.