William Edmondstoune Aytoun

In the early 1850s, Professor Aytoun lent his name as a supporter of the fledgling National Association for the Vindication of Scottish Rights. His distinctive legacy as a teacher has led to him being called the 'first modern professor of English Literature'.

William Edmondstoune Aytoun studied at University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Academy. The recorded working language is English and German. The field of work recorded is English poetry and Scottish poetry. Employment is recorded with University of Edinburgh. Works named in the authority record are Homer. Distinctions recorded are Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

• Born — 21 June 1813 • Birthplace — 21 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh • Died — 4 August 1865 • Place of death — Blackhills, by Lhanbryde, Moray • Resting Place — Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh • Occupation — Writer to the Signet (1835) Advocate (1840)

• Illustration — 21 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh, birthplace of William Edmondstoune Aytoun Aytoun was born at 21 Abercromby Place in the New Town of Edinburgh, the only son of Joan Keir (1771–1861) and Roger Aytoun WS (1769–1843), Director of Chancery of Scotland. His parents were both Episcopalians. To his mother, a woman of culture, he owed his early fondness for literature (including ballad poetry), his political sympathies, and his admiration for the House of Stuart. He also counted poet Sir Robert Aytoun (died 1638) among his relatives. At the age of eleven years William was sent to the Edinburgh Academy, and subsequently entered the University of Edinburgh.

In 1845, Aytoun was appointed professor of rhetoric and belles lettres at the University of Edinburgh. His lectures attracted large numbers of students, raising the attendance from 30 to 150. His services in support of the Tory party, especially during the Anti-Corn-Law struggle, received official recognition with his appointment in 1852 as Sheriff of Orkney and Shetland, a role he served for 13 years. In 1853 Aytoun supported the National Association for the Vindication of Scottish Rights, sharing a platform as speaker with Lord Eglinton at the two defining public meetings held on behalf of the Association that year in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Ayntoun was initiated into Scottish Freemasonry in Lodge Canongate Kilwinning, No. 2, on 9 March 1836. He served as Master of that Lodge for 1839.

William Aytoun was married to Jane Emily Wilson, the daughter of Professor John Wilson (Christopher North). She died in 1859 and he then remarried, his second wife being Fearnie Jemima Kinnear, who died in 1904. He had no children by either wife.

He died at home, 16 Great Stuart Street on the Moray Estate, on 4 August 1865. • Illustration — William Edmondstoune Aytoun's grave, Dean Cemetery He is buried close to Professor Wilson in the south section of Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh.

William Edmondstoune Aytoun is recorded as linguist, poet, judge, translator and university teacher.