Robert Sanderson - 'Poet Laureate of Lynedale' (1836 - 1902)

The West Linton Historical Association is holding a 'Robert Sanderson Festival' - 17th to 22nd September, 2002 - to celebrate the centenary of the death of their well known son of the village. He published two, widely acclaimed, books of songs and poems, largely associated with country life at the time, local characters and family.

Robert had many more interests besides composing Scottish music and songs, he was an accomplished violinist, he loved his native village, nature and was a chronicler of churchyard lore, he was an authority on Scottish history and famous Scotsmen - idolising Burns with whom he has been compared. Among the many tributes on his death, the Peeblesshire Advertiser said, 'We doubt if there is any man living who knows more of Peeblesshire in its varied features than he did; and never was man more willing unostentatiously to communicate his varied stores of learning to those numerous enquirers who visited him for information on subjects of public interest.'

His material contributions to the community were from his humble beginnings as a woollen weaver, trusted land surveyor to ultimately Inspector of Poor, with whom he had considerable allegiance until his untimely death. There is a monument in the old churchyard to his memory, unveiled in 1930.

Exemplified as a true Scot and something of a genius, he was well known and liked by all levels in society locally, in Edinburgh and abroad. He had some acknowledgement from Royalty itself and his first volume includes the poem to Queen Victoria entitled, 'Her that Wears the Crown'. I am delighted to have found yet another poem to Queen Victoria, one to mark her Royal Jubilee. It is not included in his books so I present it here because of its current topicality, its many local geographical references and that it summons us to arms in celebration!

John (Ian) Sanderson - Great-grandson of Robert Sanderson

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