Dougal Graham

Dougal Graham
Born	1724 Raploch, Stirling
Died	1779
Nationality	Scottish
Known for	The "Skellat" Bellman of Glasgow

Dougal Graham, born in the Raploch, Stirlingshire, Scotland, around 1725 and died in 1779, became the skellat bellman of Glasgow at some time around 1770. In addition he was a prolific author of Scottish chapbooks and provides the best prose examples of mid 18th century vernacular Scots. In his youth he followed the Jacobite and Hanoverian forces around Britain as a non-combatant. His The History of the Rebellion in Britain in the Years, 1745 & 1746 gave an account in doggerel of his experiences and sold very well.

William George Black's article in the Dictionary of National Biography, 1900, proffers a little more detail on this figure's life and works−

..., chapbook writer and bellman, was born, it is believed, at Raploch, near Stirling, in 1724. He was much deformed, and found the wandering life of a 'chapman' (or pedlar) more to his taste than any settled trade; but when the highland army of Prince Charles Edward was on its way south in September 1745, he gave up such occupation as he had, and followed the prince. It is probable he was merely a camp-follower, as he can scarcely have been a soldier, but he accompunied the forces to Derby, and back to Scotland, and was present at Culloden (16 April 1746). Five months later he published A full, particular, and true Account of the Rebellion in the year 1745-6.

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