William Edmondstoune Aytoun FRSE (21 June 18134 August 1865) was a Scotland, Scottish poet, lawyer by training, and professor of rhetoric and belles lettres at the University of Edinburgh. He published poetry, translation, prose fiction, criticism and satire and was a lifelong contributor to the Edinburgh literary periodical Blackwood's Magazine. He was also a collector of Ballad, Scottish ballads. In the early 1850s, Professor Aytoun lent his name as a supporter of the fledgling National Association for the Vindication of Scottish Rights. His distinctive legacy as a teacher has led to him being called the 'first modern professor of English Literature'.

Early life and education

William Aytoun was born at 21 Abercromby Place in the New Town, Edinburgh, New Town of Edinburgh, the only son of Joan Keir (1771–1861) and Roger Aytoun Writer to the Signet, WS (1769–1843), Director of the Chancery of Scotland. His parents were both Episcopalians. To his mother, a woman of culture, he owed his early fondness for literature (including ballad poetry), his political sympathies, and his admiration for the House of Stuart. He also counted poet Sir Robert Aytoun (died 1638) among his relatives. At the age of eleven years William was sent to the Edinburgh Academy, and subsequently entered the University of Edinburgh.

Travels and writings

William Aytoun published his first book, ''Poland, Homer, and other Poems'', in 1832, at the age of 19. This work expressed fervent concern for the cause of Poland. In 1833 he journeyed to London where he spent a few months studying law, but decided in September of that year to travel on to Aschaffenburg where he studied German language, German. While in Germany he made a blank verse translation of the first part of Goethe's Faust, Goethe's ''Goethe's Faust, Faust''; but it was never published, forestalled by other translations. He remained in Germany until April 1834. On returning to Scotland, Aytoun resumed his legal studies in his father's chambers. He was admitted a writer to the signet in 1835, and five years later certified a Scottish lawyer. By his own confession, though he followed the law, he never could "overtake" it. Aytoun was a contributor to the Edinburgh literary periodical ''Blackwood's Magazine'', beginning in 1836 with the magazine's acceptance of his translations from Ludwig Uhland, Uhland. In 1839 he joined the staff of Blackwood's, an association which he maintained until the end of his life. His contributions to the periodical included humorous prose stories, such as ''The Glenmutchkin Railway'', ''How I Became a Yeoman'', and ''How I Stood for the Dreepdaily Burghs'', a partly autobiographical novel, ''Norman Sinclair'', and the work upon which his reputation as a poet is chiefly based, his ''Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers'' (1848). In around 1841 Aytoun became acquainted with Theodore Martin, and in association with him wrote a series of humorous articles on the fashions and follies of the time, in which were interspersed the verses which afterwards became popular as the ''Bon Gaultier Ballads'' (1855). His reputation as a keen satirist is also demonstrated by his dramatic verse ''Firmilian, a Spasmodic Tragedy'', or ''The Student of Badajoz'' (1854) under the ''nom-de-plume'' of T. Percy Jones, a mock-tragedy in which he parodied the poems of the Spasmodic poets. It was intended to satirise a group of poets and critics, including George Gilfillan, Sydney Thompson Dobell, Philip James Bailey, and Alexander Smith (poet), Alexander Smith. His parody played a decisive role in ending the vogue for such works.

University appointment and political affiliations

In 1845, Aytoun was appointed professor of rhetoric and ''belles lettres'' at the University of Edinburgh. His lectures attracted large numbers of students, raising the attendance from 30 to 150. His services in support of the Tory, Tory party, especially during the Anti-Corn Laws, Corn-Law struggle, received official recognition with his appointment in 1852 as Sheriff of Orkney and Shetland, a role he served for 13 years. In 1853 Aytoun supported the National Association for the Vindication of Scottish Rights, sharing a platform as speaker with Archibald Montgomerie, 14th Earl of Eglinton, Lord Eglinton at the two defining public meetings held on behalf of the Association that year in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Freemasonry

Ayntoun was initiated into Scottish Freemasonry in Lodge Canongate Kilwinning, No. 2, on 9 March 1836. He served as Master of that Lodge for 1839.

Family life

William Aytoun was married to Jane Emily Wilson, the daughter of John Wilson (Scottish writer), Professor John Wilson (Christopher North). She died in 1859 and he then remarried, his second wife being Fearnie Jemima Kinnear, who died in 1904. He had no children by either wife.

Death

He died at home, 16 Great Stuart Street on the Moray Estate, on 4 August 1865.Edinburgh Post Office directory 1864 William Edmondstoune Aytoun's grave, Dean Cemetery

William Edmondstoune Aytoun's grave, Dean Cemetery

He is buried close to Professor Wilson in the south section of Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh.

Notes

References

* * * Rosaline Masson, ''Robert Pollok, Pollock and Aytoun.'' Edinburgh: Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier, 1898, (List of books for the "Famous Scots Series", "Famous Scots Series")

External links

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William Edmonstoune Aytoun
at University of Toronto Libraries {{DEFAULTSORT:Aytoun, William Edmondstoune 19th-century Scottish writers 1813 births 1865 deaths People associated with Orkney People associated with Shetland Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh People educated at Edinburgh Academy Alumni of the University of Edinburgh Burials at the Dean Cemetery Members of the Faculty of Advocates Scottish sheriffs Academics of the University of Edinburgh Scottish solicitors Scottish translators 19th-century British translators 19th-century Scottish poets 19th-century Scottish judges Scottish Freemasons Writers from Edinburgh