The Poetical Works of Beattie, Blair, and Falconer

In this richly detailed volume listeners are invited into the world of an 18th‑century Scottish poet whose humble beginnings in the Howe of the Mearns shaped a lifelong love of nature and verse. The narrative follows his early schooling, the encouragement of a scholarly family, and his rapid rise at Marischal College, where classical texts and the music of his youth sparked his first poems. Through vivid anecdotes—like the thrill of receiving his first published verses—it captures the restless curiosity that propelled him toward a literary career.

Beyond Beattie, the work weaves together the lives and poetry of two of his contemporaries, Blair and Falconer, offering comparative insights that highlight the distinctive voice of each writer. Rev. George Gilfillan’s critical dissertations and explanatory notes illuminate the cultural and philosophical currents that influenced their verses, while selected poems are read aloud, preserving the cadence of the original language. The result is a layered portrait of Scottish Enlightenment poetry, perfect for listeners who enjoy both biography and lyrical exploration.