Author: Walker, John
Biography:
WALKER, John (b c. 1747: Poems)
The Preface to his book states that he was seventy when it was published. If this is accurate, he may have been the John Walker born at Luss in 1747 to Donald Walker and his wife Jean McGregor. The Preface was not written by Walker but it quotes him on living in the house on the farm, called Hill of Camstradden, where he had been born and where his ancestors had lived. Walker’s education was limited to what was considered useful for a boy who was expected to become a farmer like his father. The book has an impressive subscription list, including the Colquhouns who were the Lairds of Camstradden, and the Rev. John Stuart of Luss who translated the Old Testament into Gaelic (see ODNB). Although Walker’s help was not acknowledged in the publication (1801), it is possible he assisted Stuart with the translation. Walker’s poems indicate that he was married and had children. The BL copy was owned by Robert Colquhoun and includes a manuscript note at the end reproducing a letter he received from Walker. Colquhoun wrote “Poeta nascitur non fit” [A poet is born not made] under Walker’s name on the title page. (ancestry.co.uk 9 Dec. 2020; “Preface,” Poems in English, Scotch, and Gaelic) SR