Dunbar, William (1465?-1530?), was a Scottish poet who wrote in a broad variety of styles, including hymns, satires, humorous verses, elegies, and allegories. About 100 of his poems have survived. He wrote many of his major works from about 1503 to 1508.
Dunbar’s works range from devotional poems, such as Ane Ballat of Our Lady, to an outspoken and biting satire on women, The Tua Mariit Wemen and the Wedo (The Two Married Women and the Widow). His humorous verses, such as The Ballad of Kynd Kittok, are attractive and revealing. The Lament for the Makaris (poets) eulogizes his fellow poet Robert Henryson. The Flyting of Dunbar and Kennedie is a savage attack on his rival, the Scottish poet Walter Kennedy. The Thrissill and the Rois (The Thistle and the Rose) is an allegorical song celebrating the wedding of King James IV of Scotland. The Golden Targe is a dream allegory.
Dunbar’s birthplace was probably in Lothian, in eastern Scotland. He studied at St. Andrews University and then became a Franciscan friar. Dunbar spent some years in France and returned to Scotland in about 1500. King James IV gave him a pension and later made him rhymer of Scotland, a court post.
