his thoughts on poetry in Anacrisis: Or a Censure of some Poets Ancient and Modern (c. 1635). Anacrisis begins with a reflection on the pleasure of literature: After a great Travel both of Body and of Mind, which (since not voluntary but imposed upon me) was the more painful, by retiring for a Time where I was born [...] being curious, as the most dainty Kind of Pleasure for such as are capable of their Delicacies to recreate myself with the Muses,—I may justly say recreate, since they create new Spirits [...] I conversed with some of the Modern as well as with the Ancients, kindling my Fire at those Fires which do still burn out of the Ashes of ancient Authors This passage testifies to the value that Alexander placed on his literary pursuits (which mostly took place at his Menstrie estate) as an activity that was separate from but complementary to his public life as a politician and coloniser. Indeed, the phrase 'recreate myself with the Muses' re-appeared in the title of the collected edition of his works, Recreations with the Muses (1637). Legacy The Canadian Coast Guard has named the CCGS Sir William Alexander in his honour. References Further reading The Poetical Works of Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, ed. by L.E. Kastner and H.B. Charlton, 2 vols (Edinburgh: Printed for the Scottish Text Society, 1921‒29) David W. Atkinson, 'More than One Voice; The Poetic Accomplishment of William Alexander', in Older Scots Literature, ed. by Sally Mapstone (Edinburgh: John Donald, 2005), pp. 584‒94 Thomas McGrail, Sir William Alexander, First Earl of Stirling: A Biographical Study (Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1940) Nigel Tranter, Poetic Justice, London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1996. A well-researched & lively retelling of the life of William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling. External links Photographs of Halifax monument |- |- 1560s births 1640 deaths Earls in the Peerage of Scotland Peers of Scotland created by Charles I People from Clackmannanshire Pre-Confederation Nova Scotia people Scottish businesspeople Scottish Freemasons Scottish explorers Scottish knights Scottish scholars and academics Alumni of the University of Glasgow Castalian Band Governors of Acadia Members of the Privy Council of Scotland 16th-century Scottish people 17th-century Scottish writers 17th-century Scottish dramatists and playwrights 17th-century Scottish poets Scottish dramatists and playwrights Members of the Convention of the Estates of Scotland 1625 Members of the Convention of the Estates of Scotland 1630 William