Adamson, Henry

(d. 1639)

   A Scottish poet, native of Perth, and son of Provost James Adamson, who was dean of guild in Perth at the time of the Gowrie conspiracy-an attempt on the life of King James VI at Gowrie House in Perth. Although educated for the Church, Adamson was a Latin poet of consequence. His elegy, The Muses Threnodie or Mirthfull Mourning on the Death of Master Gall (1638), a work of nine books, gives an account of the history and surroundings of Perth. Perth is famous for its golf, and he makes reference to it in his poem. "First Muse" is a pastoral poem set around the Scottish rivers of Earn and Tay, bringing in classical references to Venus and Phoebe.

   Sources: Dictionary of National Biography. Electronic Edition 1.1. Oxford University Press, 1997. Oldpoetry (www. oldpoetry.com). Significant and Famous Scots (http://www.electricscotland.com/history/other/adamson_henry.htm).