ALEXANDER, William, earl of Stirling, an eminent Scottish statesman and poet in the reigns of James VI. and Charles I., who, after travelling with the duke of Argyll as his tutor or companion, wrote a poetical work, with the view of alleviating the sorrows of unsuccessful love, 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, entitled Monarchie 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. He also wrote a poetical piece, entitled A Parænesis to the Prince; and in 1614 he published his last poem, called Doomsday, or the Great Day of Judgment. His poetical works were published by himself, in a folio volume, under the title of Recreations with the Muses. 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 afterwards 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.