Author: Glen, William
Biography:
GLEN, William (1789-1826: ODNB)
He was born at Glasgow to Alexander Glen (a merchant, trading with his brother in Russia and with the West Indies) and Jean or Jane (Burns) Glen. Family financial difficulties led to Glen leaving school at 17 to work for a Glasgow firm trading with the West Indies where Glen lived for several years. On his return to Glasgow, he set up business for himself but retired in 1814 when his company became bankrupt. He was supported financially by his uncle in Russia and by the proceeds from his writing. In 1818 he married Catherine Macfarlane. She was joint tenant with her brother of a farm in Port Monteith, Perthshire, and the couple lived there; they had one daughter. Glen was very sociable and well-liked in the district. Shortly before his death, the family returned to Glasgow. He is buried in Ramshorn Churchyard. His widow and daughter subsequently ran an orphanage at Aberfoyle. The applied to the RLF for relief in Apr. 1874 but were turned down; the file includes a letter of support from Charles Rogers. Glen’s most celebrated song is the Jacobite “Wae’s me for Prince Charlie.” (ODNB 11 Feb. 2019; Rev. Charles Rogers, The Poetical Remains of William Glen [1874]; RLF file 1945)