Background
David Macbeth Moir was born on the 5th of January, 1798 in Musselburgh, East Lothian, United Kingdom.
David Macbeth Moir was born on the 5th of January, 1798 in Musselburgh, East Lothian, United Kingdom.
David Macbeth Moir studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, taking his degree in 1816.
Entering into partnership with a Musselburgh doctor David Macbeth Moir practised there until his death. He was a contributor of both prose and verse to the magazines, and particularly, with the signature of Delta, to Blackwood's Magazine. His life is featured in the book, The “Blackwood” Group by Sir George Douglas, Edinburgh: Oliphant, Anderson & Ferrier, 1897.
A collection of David Macbeth Moir's poetry was edited in 1852 by Thomas Aird. Among his publications were the famous Life of Mansie Wauch, Tailor (1828), which shows his gifts as a humorist, Outlines of the Ancient History of Medicine (1831), and Sketch of the Poetical Literature of the Past Half Century (1851).
David Macbeth Moir is one of several writers who are claimed as the author of the "Canadian Boat-Song".
David Macbeth Moir is commemorated by a memorial statue, which was erected in Musselburgh in 1853. There are also several street names in the town which make reference to him, and a branch of the pub chain Weatherspoons opened in February 2012 is named The David Macbeth Moir.
