Scottish poet and author known for his pastoral writing and for his editorial revival of Scottish vernacular literature. His works include The Tea-table Miscellany, The Ever Green, and The Gentle Shepherd.
He was born to John and Alice Ramsey in Leadhills, Lanarkshire, Scotland. In 1701, he became a wig maker's apprentice in Edinburgh.
He established the first circulating library in Scotland and also worked as a bookseller.
He married Christian Ross in 1712. The couple had six children, one of whom became a portrait Painter.
Literary contemporary Alexander Pope praised Ramsay's work.
