Overview of William Miller

The Laureate of the Nursery. Born in Glasgow, he lived in Dennistoun. Miller worked as a wood turner and cabinetmaker, but was also an accomplished poet and songwriter. He is particularly remembered for the children's nursery rhyme Wee Willie Winkie, which begins:

Wee Willie Winkie rins through the toon,
Up-stairs and doon-stairs, in his nicht-goon,
Tirlin' at the window, cryin' at the lock,
"Are the weans in their bed? for it's now ten o'clock."

His works were published in various magazines and also as a collection entitled Whistle-binkie: Stories for the Fireside (1842). Ill and penniless, he died in Glasgow and was buried in the family plot at the Tollcross Burial Ground. A monument to him was erected by public subscription within the Glasgow Necropolis.