User:OtherDave/draftMMA

This is a draft for a biography of Alasdair MacDhomnull, known as Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair

Alastair MacDhòmhnaill, (c. 1695 – c. 1770), also known in English as Alexander Macdonald or Alasdair MacDonald, was a Scottish bard or poet. He published the first Gaelic–English vocabulary, wrote poems and songs in Gaelic, and produced one of the first volumes of original Gaelic poetry. Reportedly, the ardent Jacobite tone of that book's poems led to its public burning.

He is typically referred to as Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair, meaning "the son of Master Alexander." His father, also named Alasdair, was a minister. In the Gaelic-speaking regions of Scotland at that time, maighstir denoted a clergyman, and so the father was known as Maighstir Alasdair.

Early life
The poet's father was a minister of the Scottish Episcopal Church and lived at Dalilea in Moidart, where Alasdair, his second son, was likely born.

Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair's father was the younger brother of Ranald MacDonald, the father of Flora MacDonald, making her the poet's first cousin.

Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair appears to have been educated first by his father, and then for a year or so at the University of Glasgow. He returned to Moidart, where by 1729 he was appointed by the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge (SPCK) as a teacher at Eilean Fhianain (Island Finnan) in Loch Shiel. He worked at this position and others for some fifteen years, combining schoolmaster duties with those of catechist for the Presbytery of Mull.

Publication of Gaelic Vocabulary
At the suggestion of SPCK, Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair compiled a Gaelic - English vocabulary, which appeared in 1741. This volume of some 200 pages arranges words by subject, not alphabetically as in a dictionary. The book is regarded as the first attempt at a complete Gaelic vocabulary.

This book was the first non-religious book printed in Gaelic.

Following Prince Charles
Although employed by Protestant organizations, Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair is believed to have converted to Catholicism some time before 1745. Whatever his religious beliefs, he supported the Jacobite cause. One account reports that English translations of his poems were read to Prince Charles in Paris.

He joined the supporters of Prince Charles and served as a captain among his forces. Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair reportedly worked to teach Gaelic to the prince.

After the defeat of the Jacobites at Culloden, he and his family lived in various parts of the Highlands, settling on Canna.

Book of Gaelic Poetry
In 1751 he traveled to Edinburgh to publish his volume of poems, Ais-Eiridh na Sean Chánoin Albannaich ("The Resurrection of the Ancient Scots Language").

Death and afterward
[If applicable] Legacy If any, describe. See Charles Darwin for example.

Philosophical and/or political views
If any, describe.

Works
1741: A Galick and English Vocabulary, with an Appendix of the Terms of Divinity in the Said Language (Image of the title pages, in Gaelic and English) 1751: Ais-eiridh na Sean Chánoin Albannaich, no An Nuadh Oranaiche Gaidhealach ("The Resurrection of the Ancient Scottish Language, or New Gaelic Songster")

Selected Poems and Songs
(Including English translations)
 * Birlinn Chlann Raghnaill / The Birlinn of Clanranald
 * Oran Eile Do'n Phrionnsa / Another Song to the Prince
 * Oran Nam Fineachan Gaidhealach / The Song of the Clans

(Gaelic only)
 * Òrain is Dàin le Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair ("Songs and Poems by Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair")