Ayton (Aytoun), Sir Robert

(1570-1638)

   Descended from a noble Norman, the family was given the lands of Aytoun in Berwickshire by King Robert Bruce. Ayton was one of the earliest Scottish poets to use standard English as opposed to the Scottish vernacular, although he did write in Latin, Greek, and French. He graduated from the University of St. Andrews in 1588 and studied civil law at the University of Paris. He was knighted in 1612 by James I and held various lucrative offices during the reigns of James I and Charles I. He is buried in the South Ambulatory of Westminster Abbey near Henry VII Chapel. A poem ascribed to Ayton, "Old Long Syne," could have been the inspiration for the more famous "Auld Lang Syne" by Robert Burns. Ayton was never reckoned to be a great poet; however, many of his poems are refined, tender and romantic, often with a hint of unrequited love. Some of his poems: "When Thou Did Thinke I Did Not Love," "To His Forsaken Mistress," "To an Inconstant One."

   Sources: Dictionary of National Biography. Electronic Edition 1.1. Oxford University Press, 1997. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite DVD, 2006. English Poetry: Author Search. Chadwyck-Healey Ltd., 1995 (http://www.lib.utexas.edu:8080/search/epoetry/author. html). Poemhunter (www.poemhunter.com). Significant and Famous Scots (http://www.electricscotland.com/history/other/ayton_robert.htm). The Columbia Granger's Index to Poetry. 11th ed. The Columbia Granger's World of Poetry, Columbia University Press, 2005 (http://www. columbiagrangers.org). Westminster Abbey Official Guide (no date).