Robert Blair

1699 - 1746

Poet and clergyman. Born in Edinburgh, Blair educated at the University in that city and in Holland. Blair was the son of a Church Minister and grandson of a Covenanting preacher also called Robert Blair (1593 - 1666). He is principally known for his long and popular poem The Grave, published in 1743, the same year he was ordained at Athelstaneford (East Lothian). Recording Blair's feelings on bereavement and death, the poem was one of the first of the Romantic Movement in English literature. William Blake produced twelve beautiful illustrations for the 1808 edition.

He died at Athelstaneford and lies buried in the kirkyard there.

Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry