Colvil, Samuel

Samuel Colvil (fl.17th century), was the son of Elizabeth Melville (fl.1599-1631), known for her own religious writings, including an allegorical poem based on Calvinist doctrines, Ane Godlie Dreame . Her father was Sir James Melville of Halhill, diplomat and courtier, and she married John Colvil, commendator of the abbey at Culross. Samuel was a political satirist who came to public prominence after Cromwell's Commonwealth, with his attack on militant Puritanism in his Mock Poem . This was heavily influenced by Samuel Butler's Hudibras, itself a satire on the Cromwellians and on the Presbyterian church written by a staunch Royalist and Anglican. Colvil's version was known as the Scottish Hudibras . He also wrote The grand imposter discovered: or a historical dispute of the Papacy and Popish religion; 1. Demonstrating the newness of both; 2. By what artifices they are maintained; 3. The contradictions of the Roman doctors in defending them, published in 1673 in Edinburgh and dedicated to the duke of Lauderdale; and Prophecy anent the Union, published in 1707.

From the guide to the Transcription of part two of Samuel Colvil, Mock Poem, c.1690., c.1690, (University of St Andrews)

From the guide to the Transcription of Samuel Colvil, Mock Poem, c.1690., c.1690, (University of St Andrews)

Samuel Colvil's 'Mock Poem or Whiggs Supplication' was first published in 1681. He also wrote 'Prophecy anent the Union', published in 1707.

From the guide to the Samuel Colvil: Mock Poem or Whiggs Supplication, 18th century (copy of original of c. 1681), (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)