Thomas Aird (28 August 1802 – 25 April 1876)[1] was a Scottish poet, best known for his 1830 narrative poem The Captive of Fez.
After completing his education at the local parish school, Aird studied for an undergraduate degree at the University of Edinburgh.
After graduation, Aird resisted encouragements to become a Church of Scotland minister, instead remaining in Edinburgh to devote himself to writing.
His publication debut came in 1826, with Martzoufle: a Tragedy in Three Acts, with other Poems, although this collection was largely overlooked by critics.
[2] In the early years of his career, he also contributed articles to Blackwood's Magazine, wrote a series of essays entitled Religious Characteristics, and published The Captive of Fez, a narrative poem, in 1830.