ALEXANDER (William), earl of Stirling, an eminent Scots statesman and poet in the reigns of James I. and Charles I. who, after travelling with the duke of Argyle as his tutor or companion, wrote a poetical com-
plaint of his unsuccessful love of some beauty, under the title of Aurora. He then removed to the court of James VI. where he applied to the more solid parts of poetry, forming himself upon the plan of the Greek and Roman tragedians. In 1607, he published some dramatic performances, intitled The Monarchic Tragedies, dedicated to king James; who was so well pleased with them, as to call him his philosophical poet. After this, he is said to have written A supplement to complete the third part of Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia; and in 1613, he produced a poem called Doomsday, or the great day of judgment. He was made gentleman-usher to prince Charles, and master of the requests; was knighted; and obtained a grant of Nova Scotia, where he projected the settlement of a colony, but afterward sold it to the French. In 1626, he was made secretary of state for Scotland; was created first viscount, and then earl, of Stirling; and died in 1640.