ABSTRACT
Scottish singer and comedian, born in Portobello, near Edinburgh. After a wretched childhood of work in mills and coal mines, he took to the stage at age 12, and at 20 was performing in a touring company. He formed his own group in 1897, and was famous through Scotland and northern England in a few years. At age 30 he performed in London, offering songs in a rich dialect, and became “the hottest property in the British theatre” (Baker). His fame was soon international. He was knighted in 1919. The stage was his life until his 75th year, when he retired. He died in Strathaven, Scotland, where he had built “Lauder Hall.”
