(Mark Alexander),** an extraordinary genius, was son of Robert Boyd, who was eldest son of Adam Boyd of Pinkhill, brother to Lord Boyd. He was born in Galloway on the 13th of January 1561, and came into the world with teeth. He learned the rudiments of the Latin and Greek languages at Glasgow under two grammarians; but was of so high and untractable a spirit, that they despaired of ever making him a scholar. Having quarrelled with his masters, he beat them both, burnt his books, and forswore learning. While he was yet a youth, he followed the court, and did his utmost to push his interest there; but the fervour of his temper soon precipitated him into quarrels, from which he came off with honour and safety, though frequently at the hazard of his life. He, with the approbation of his friends, went to serve in the French army, and carried his little patrimony with him, which he soon dissipated at play. He was shortly after routed by that emulation which is natural to great minds, and applied himself to letters with unremitting ardour, till he became one of the most consummate scholars of his age. He is said to have translated Caesar's Commentaries into Greek in the style of Herodotus, and to have written many Latin poems which were little inferior to the first productions of the Augustan age. He also left several manuscripts on philological, political, and historical subjects, in Latin and French, which languages were as familiar to him as his native tongue. He could with facility dictate to three amanuenses at the same time, in different languages, and on different subjects. He was also one of the best Scottish poets of the age. To all this we must add, that his personal beauty and accomplishments were equal to his mental superiority. He died at Pinkhill in Scotland, in 1601.

The following works, which are all that have been printed, were published in *Delicia Poetarum Scotorum*:

- **Amstel. 1637, 12mo.** - Epigrammata, lib. ii. - Hymni XIV.