After some school education he went, aged 12, to London to learn the trade of baker with his sister's husband.
[2] Crawford in 1819 published anonymously St. James's in an Uproar, a political satire and skit on local figures, which caused a furore.
A series of sketches founded on traditions in the west of Scotland were published by subscription in 1824 as Tales of My Grandmother, enlarged edition in two volumes by Archibald Constable & Co. in 1825.
[1] To The Gaberlunzie Crawfurd contributed tales and poems, including Scotland, I have no home but thee which was set to music.
[1] In 1861 James Paterson edited and annotated his works as The Huntly Casket, and other Tales and Lyrics; with Reminiscences of the Author.