How a Scottish wig-maker sparked a literary revolution and bridged centuries of verse

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Allan Ramsay was an unlikely literary titan. Starting as an Edinburgh wig-maker, he evolved into a pivotal figure of the Enlightenment, reviving vernacular Scots poetry and establishing Britain's first circulating library. His work bridged the gap between ancient makars and the Romantic giants who would eventually define Scottish literature.

Born in 1684 in Leadhills, Allan Ramsay began his professional life as a wig-maker in Edinburgh, a trade he maintained until he fully transitioned into bookselling and publishing. His literary journey was ignited by the Easy Club, a society where he adopted the persona of Isaac Bickerstaff and later Gawin Douglas. By 1718, he had begun publishing his own verses and broadsheets, eventually collecting his work into a volume in 1721 that earned him four hundred guineas. His business acumen was as sharp as his pen; in 1726, he opened what is considered the first circulating library in Britain, located in the Luckenbooths.

Ramsay’s editorial work was instrumental in preserving and reawakening interest in older Scottish literature. Through collections like The Tea-Table Miscellany and The Ever Green, he curated a mix of ballads, songs, and older poems, often editing them to suit contemporary tastes. While he lacked a strictly scholarly approach—frequently altering texts to give them modern relevance—his instinct for the vernacular was profound. He explicitly protested against imported literary styles, advocating instead for a return to simple, native Scottish traditions. This editorial stance provided the vital link between the 15th-century makars and later poets like Robert Fergusson and Robert Burns.

His most enduring contribution, the dramatic pastoral The Gentle Shepherd, published in 1725, showcased his deep appreciation for country life. By blending neo-classical traditions with a direct, naturalistic style, Ramsay anticipated the Romantic movement that would later sweep through European literature. Though his attempt to establish a new theatre in Edinburgh in 1736 ended in financial loss due to strong opposition, his influence remained secure. Today, he is remembered not just as a poet, but as a cultural impresario who stimulated an entire public to engage with their own heritage, setting the stage for the literary golden age that followed his death in 1758.

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