William Edmondstoune Aytoun

William Edmondstoune Aytoun
Engraving by J.C. Armytage from the bust of Aytoun by Scottish sculptor Patric Park
Born	(1813-06-21)21 June 1813 21 Abercromby Place, Edinburgh
Died	4 August 1865(1865-08-04) (aged 52) Blackhills, by Lhanbryde, Moray
Resting place	Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh
Occupation	Writer to the Signet (1835) Advocate (1840) Professor of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres, Edinburgh University (1845–65) Sheriff, Orkney & Shetland (1852–65)
Education	Edinburgh Academy (1824-8)
Alma mater	Edinburgh University
Notable works	Lays of The Scottish Cavaliers (1848)
Spouse	Jane Emily Wilson (died 1859) Fearnie Jemima Kinnear (m. 1863) (died 1904)
Children	No issue
Relatives	Father-in-law: Professor John Wilson Brother-in-law: John Thomson Gordon

William Edmondstoune "W. E." Aytoun FRSE (21 June 1813 – 4 August 1865) was a Scottish poet, lawyer by training, and professor of rhetoric and belles lettres at the University of Edinburgh. He published poetry, translation, prose fiction, criticism and satire and was a lifelong contributor to the Edinburgh literary periodical Blackwood's Magazine. He was also a collector of Scottish ballads.

In the early 1850s, Professor Aytoun lent his name as a supporter of the fledgling National Association for the Vindication of Scottish Rights. His distinctive legacy as a teacher has led to him being called the 'first modern professor of English Literature'.^[1]