Robert Pollok

1798 - 1827

Poet. Born near Eaglesham into a farming family. He wrote in English rather than Scots, his most notable work being The Course of Time, an epic poem which traced the religious history of man. This work sold 12,000 copies in its first edition, which rose to an incredible 78,000 by its fourth edition, gaining popularity as far away as North America.

He suffered from poor health, and suffering from consumption, funds were raised to send him to a sanatorium in Italy, including a donation from the Lord Mayor of London, however Pollok died on the journey south. He is remembered by a memorial at Eaglesham, and a much grander edifice in Southampton (England) where he died.


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