Ross, William

(1762-1790)

   Born on the Island of Skye, his father, a peddler, ensured his son had a good education. Later the family moved Gairloch, Ross-shire, his mother's native place. In the course of traveling with his father, Thomas became proficient in the Gaelic dialects of the western highlands, and the scenes and the character of the highlands found expression in his poetry. He was an accomplished musician; he both sang well and played with skill on several instruments. He was appointed parish schoolmaster at Gairloch, where he was popular and successful. He died at 28, it is said, from a broken heart, after being rejected by Marion Ross of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. His poem "Praise of the Highland Maid" was written in praise of his lost love. Two volumes of his Gaelic poems were published: Orain Ghae'lach' (1830) and An dara clòbhualadh (1834). Some of his other poems: "Conversation Between the Bard and Blaven," "Elegy for Prince Charlie," "The Bard's Advice to the Young Maidens," "The Bard's Lament for His Darling," "The Black Laddie," "The Braes of Glen Broom," "The Cuckoo of the Branches."

   Sources: Dictionary of National Biography. Electronic Edition 1.1. Oxford University Press, 1997. Gaelic Songs of William Ross. Oliver and Boyd, 1937. The Columbia Granger's Index to Poetry. 11th ed. The Columbia Granger's World of Poetry, Columbia University Press, 2005 (http://www.columbiagrangers.org). The New Penguin Book of Scottish Verse. Robert Crawford and Mick Imlah, eds. Penguin Books, 2000.