Craig, Alexander

(?1567-1627)

   Minor Scottish poet, born at Banff and educated at St. Andrews University. When James VI became king of England, Craig migrated to London and published The Poetical Essayes of Alexander Craige, Scots-Britane (1604). For this flattery of the king and queen he was granted a pension and returned to Scotland. His other known publications are: The Amorose Songes, and Sonets, 1606 (dedicated to Queen Anne; a copy of which is held at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey). The Poetical Recreations, 1609 (dedicated to the Earl of Dunbar). Poeticall Recreations, 1623 (consisting chiefly of epigrams). The Pilgrime and Heremite, 1631. He contributed some verses to The Famous Historie of the Renowned and Valiant Prince Robert, surnamed the Bruce, King of Scotland (1615). Some of his poems: "Appellation to the Lion," "The Pilgrime and Heremite," "To Cynthia," "To Erantina," "To Kala," "To Pandora," "To Penelope."

   Sources: Alexander Craig, Two Sonnets (www.sonnets.org/craig.htm). Dictionary of National Biography. Electronic Edition, 1.1. Oxford University Press, 1997. English Poetry: Author Search. Chadwyck-Healey Ltd., 1995 (http://www.lib.utexas.edu:8080/search/epoetry/author.html). Oldpoetry (www.oldpoetry.com). Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources (http://library.stanford.edu).