Author: Maitland, Richard
Biography:
MAITLAND, Richard (1496-1586)
A prior author, his poems remained in manuscript until 1830. He was known as Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington or Ledington and was born, probably at Lethington Castle, to Sir William Lethington and his wife Margaret Seton. He was educated at the University of St. Andrews and trained for the law in Paris. In about 1521 he married Mary or Mariota Cranstoun; they had four daughters and seven sons (just three survived). Despite his increasing blindness, he had a successful legal and political career. In 1562 Queen Mary made him Keeper of the Great Seal for life but he resigned the role in favour of his son, John (q.v.), in 1567. Withdrawing from politics allowed him to follow his interests in history and literature but he suffered penalties including the confiscation of Lethington Castle because of the role of his son, William, in supporting Queen Mary. His lands were not returned to him until 1584. He died on 20 Mar. 1586. Mary Maitland (d 1596), one of his daughters, was his amanuensis and she transcribed some or much of the manuscript from which Poems was taken. She may also have contributed some of the verse. The Maitland Club, founded in 1828, took his name in recognition of Sir Richard as a poet and collector of ancient Scottish verse. (ODNB 30 Jan. 2023)