John Donald Carrick

John Donald Carrick (April 1787 – 17 August 1837) was a Scottish journalist and songwriter.

Early life, family and education Carrick was born in Glasgow in April 1787. His father was originally from Buchlyvie in Stirlingshire. He was placed in the office of Nicholson, a Glasgow architect, while still young, leaving about 1805 for a clerkship in a counting-house. In 1807 he ran away, and walked to London, where a Scottish tradesman gave him a trial as shopboy.

Career In 1809 Carrick was working at Spode & Co., potters in Staffordshire, who had warehouses in London. He acquired sufficient knowledge of the business to return to Glasgow in 1811 and set up shop in Hutcheson Street. In 1825 prolonged litigation led to his insolvency. As agent to manufacturers, he visited the Highlands, where he learned Gaelic.

Personal life and demise In 1835, he returned to Glasgow, in bad health. He died 17 August 1837 at age 50.