Author: Wilson, James
Biography:
WILSON, James (d 1789: Scots Magazine) pseudonym Claudero
He was born in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire. Although the year of his birth is usually given in library catalogues as 1730, this has not been confirmed by genealogical records nor are the names of his parents known. He was lame and walked with a crutch; he attributed this to a childhood incident when he was caught and severely beaten by the local clergyman for hurling pebbles from a tree. By 1755 he was living in Edinburgh where he earned a living by teaching in his school in High School Wynd and officiating at irregular or “half-merk” marriages. He was a satirist and wrote squibs for a fee. He was married and probably had children but no details have come to light. His four-page poem, Vindication of a Right Honourable Gentleman, was published by Peter Williamson in 1760; various collections of poems and prose followed. He contributed to the Scots Magazine, and it recorded his death on 6 Nov. 1789, describing him as “the Laureat of the Mob.” (Scots Magazine 1 Dec. 1789; Robert Chambers, Traditions of Edinburgh 2 [1825]) SR