IMLAH, JOHN (1799–1846), poet, the son of an innkeeper, was born in Aberdeen on 15 Nov. 1799. On completing his education at the grammar school, he was apprenticed as piano-tuner to a local musicseller, and ultimately secured an appointment in the London house of Messrs. Broadwood. He died of yellow fever on 9 Jan. 1846, at St. James's, Jamaica, whither 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 songs are rich in fancy, and show a true instinct for the music of words. Several of them have won considerable popularity, and find a place in all Scotch collections. `Oh, gin I were where Gadie rins' is a special favourite, and its tune was for long the quick-march of the Aberdeen city rifle battalion.
[Rogers's Scottish Minstrel; Walker's Bards of Bonaccord; Aberdeen newspapers.]