Record

CollectionGB 0231 University of Aberdeen, Special Collections
LevelItem
Ref NoMS 30/2/240
TitleThomas Blacklock to James Beattie from Edinburgh
Date19 September 1775
Extent1 Item
Administrative HistoryThomas Blacklock [1721-1791] Poet and writer. He was blind from smallpox at the age of 6 months, but in spite of his handicap he showed an early taste for poetry. He published his first volume of verse in 1746, and another in 1756. He became a Church of Scotland minister in 1759, but he later gave up and took pupils. He introduced himself to Beattie in 1765 by sending him a copy of his 1756 poems. For some time he was an important confidant and poetic adviser to Beattie. Beattie secured a honorary DD of Marischal College for him in 1767
DescriptionBlacklock admires Beattie but wants to visit Beattie in Aberdeen. Blackloch's difficulties over proposed publication on Priestley. Reid was willing to give Blacklock his views, but refused to answer Priestley in public. Blacklock regrets that Edinburgh Magazine and Review not more widely read, or it would not be necessary to give Priestley a second thrashing. Blacklock's gloomy thoughts that all his work will be forgotten when he dies
Access StatusOpen
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