Drummond, William

1585-1649

William Drummond of Hawthornden was born at the family seat of Hawthornden Castle, near Roslin in Midlothian. He was educated first at Edinburgh, then embarked on legal studies at Bourges and Paris. He returned to become laird of Hawthornden on the death of his father in 1609. His father had been a courtier of James VI. After the sudden death of his fiancee, William isolated himself in his estate at Hawthornden, applying himself to the study of European poetry and literature. He wrote poetry himself, including Teares on the death of Meliades, written following the early death of Prince Henry. Other works include Forth Feasting, Flowers of Zion and A Cypress Grove, a prose contemplation of mortality. William received a visit from the English metaphysical poet, Ben Jonson, in 1618, and the latter kept a detailed account of their meeting. Before his death William gave most of his considerable library to his first University at Edinburgh. The books are some of the library's finest treasures and include early prints of Shakespeare, Jonson and Spencer.

William tried not to become embroiled in the civil wars that were to erupt in the British Isles. His father had been a loyal courtier and William would inherit these royalist sympathies. He was a reluctant signatory to the National Covenant in 1638 and his lands avoided destruction due to his acquaintance with the Marquis of Montrose. The news of the execution of Charles I is believed to have hastened William's death. In his will William provides for the children of his lover, as well as those of his wife, Elizabeth Logan of Restalrig. The language of the document reveals a poetic bent as well as an almost tangible fear of his approaching death.

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