William Edmondstoune Aytoun
![Engraving by [[James Charles Armytage|J.C. Armytage]] from the bust of Aytoun by Scottish sculptor [[Patric Park]]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/William_Aytoun_Bust.jpg)
William Edmondstoune "W. E." Aytoun FRSE (21 June 18134 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'. Provided by Wikipedia
