About John Imlah
Lived 1799 – 1846 (aged 46–47). John Imlah was a British songwriter, poet and writer.
John Imlah (1799–1846), was a Scottish poet.
Imlah was the son of an innkeeper. He was born in Aberdeen on 15 November 1799. On completing his education at the Grammar School, he was apprenticed as piano-tuner to a local music seller, and ultimately secured an appointment in the London house of Messrs Broadwood. He died of yellow fever on 9 January 1846, at St. James's, Jamaica, where he had gone on a visit to a brother. Imlah had written poetry from his boyhood, and in 1827 he published 'May Flowers,' London, 12mo, which was followed in 1841 by 'Poems and Songs,' London, 12mo. He also contributed to Macleod's 'National Melodies' and the 'Edinburgh Literary Journal.'
His best known work in modern times is the song, "O gin I were where Gadie rins".
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Imlah's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Imlah?
Scottish poet
When was John Imlah born?
John Imlah was born in 1799 in Aberdeen.
When did John Imlah die?
John Imlah died in 1846.
What was John Imlah's occupation?
John Imlah was a songwriter, poet and writer.
What nationality was John Imlah?
John Imlah was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Imlah. https://biography.guide/john-imlah/
MLA: "John Imlah." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-imlah/.
Chicago: "John Imlah." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-imlah/.
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