To celebrate the 250 years since the birth of James Hogg, the American Folklife Center in Washington, USA, and the University of Stirling are holding a joint conference. James Hogg (1770-1835), who came from Ettrick in Selkirkshire, was a largely self-educated man who rose to become a prominent poet and novelist in both the Scots and English languages. His works are still taught in Scottish schools and higher institutes today.

The conference – James Hogg: Scotland’s Shepherd Poet – will bring together a number of specialists from both Scotland and the USA. Valentina Bold, who is a folklorist at the University of Stirling, will speak about Hogg as a collector of music and song-maker, while writer and broadcaster Billy Kay will speak about the Scots language of Hogg. Adrian Hunter, lecturer in English at the University of Stirling, will speak about James Hogg and his links with America and well known Dundee singer Sheena Wellington will sing some of Hogg’s songs.  Contributing to the proceedings will also be specialists from the American Folklife Center such as Nancy Groce, Todd Harvey and Stephen Winick who will touch on the American folksong tradition and links with Scotland.

The James Hogg event will be hosted at the Whittall Pavilion, Thomas Jefferson Building, Library of Congress, Washington, USA, and will run from 1pm until 6pm on 21 February 2020.