Author: Ingram, William
Biography:
INGRAM, William (1765-1849: BBA)
According to the long notice of Ingram in BBA, he was born in 1765 to a farming family in Cuminestown, Aberdeenshire. However no record has been located and it is possible although not certain that he was the William Ingram who was baptised in Turiff, Aberdeenshire, on 1 Mar. 1768, son of Peter Ingram. Although he trained to be a weaver, he studied to become a teacher, achieving his ambition when he became master at a succession of so-called “adventure schools” (unregulated schools run according to local needs across Scotland) at Annochy, Burnside of Schivas, and Cairnbanno. His book, published when he was master of the latter school, is dedicated to Mrs. Wilson of Cairnbanno. With his wife (possibly Helen Collie, married at Turiff on 29 Oct. 1809; BBA identifies her as a midwife), he moved to Woodhead of Fyvie in 1817. In his later years he was blind and was cared for by his daughter after his wife’s death. He is buried in the churchyard at Woodhead. Poems in the English and Scottish Dialects includes a preface thanking his benefactors and stating that the book was published by subscription; there is, however, no list. Although he issued only one book, many poems in manuscript were found after his death. (BBA 359-75) SR