'Poems' by Robert Fergusson, 1773 [Library shelfmark: F.4.e.11].
Robert Fergusson (1750-1774) was born in Edinburgh. After attending St Andrews University, he returned to Edinburgh where he mixed in Enlightenment circles as a member of the Cape Club, and wrote poems.
Supported by the publisher Walter Ruddiman, Fergusson brought an understanding of ancient Roman poetry and vibrant Scots language to his verse.
The Scottish works of the poet Allan Ramsay encouraged Fergusson to write in Scots, and Fergusson's works in turn influenced Robert Burns to write Scots poetry.
A collected volume of his works, in English and Scots, was published in 1773, the year before Fergusson died. This copy, presented to James Boswell, is one of several known dedication copies of 'Poems'.
View depictions of scenes from Fergusson's poems from our previous 'Illustrating Scottish poems' treasures display.