Biography
Born in Strathmore, Sutherland, he never learnt to speak English, nor to read and write, but was strongly influenced by the poetry of Alexander Pope, which he heard in translation into Gaelic by the local minister, the Rev. Murdo MacDonald. His own poetical abilities were picked up early on by Iain MacEachainn, a tacksman who would patronise the former cowherd. In return, Rob Donn praised and delineated MacEachainn and his family in his poetry, in a way normally reserved for nobility in Scottish Gaelic poetry.
Another major figure in his life was Donald MacKay, the fourth Lord Reay. Both he and the Rev. Murdo MacDonald were great influences on him, and celebrated in his poetry.
Rob Donn's life coincided with the two major Jacobite campaigns, in 1715 (when he was only one) and in 1745.
Read more about this topic: Rob Donn
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