Telfer, James

James Telfer was born in Southdean, Roxburgh, on 3 December 1800. As a shepherd he gradually educated himself and became a country schoolmaster, teaching in Castleton, Langholm, and then for some twenty-five years at a small adventure school of his own at Suaghtrees in Liddesdale. He was an admirer of the poet James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd (1770-1835) whom he befriended. In 1824 he published a volume of poems entitled Border ballads and miscellaneous poems . James Telfer died on 18 January 1862.

From the guide to the Letters and Poems of James Telfer (1800-1862), 19th century, (Edinburgh University Library)