In 1540 John Douglas sold trees from Hawthornden wood to James V as timber for his ships. The castle was later sold to Sir John Drummond, one of King James VI's ushers. His son, the poet Sir William Drummond of Hawthornden, was born here, and extended the castle. The L-shaped north range is his work, dated 1638, and probably replaced earlier buildings on this side of the courtyard. He was visited here in 1618 by English poet Ben Jonson. In the following century Dr Johnson visited Hawthornden.