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Famous Scots - Wee Willie White
Wee Willie White (died 1858) the blind flute and flageolet player. In a Glasgow so unlike the city we know today ‘Wee Willie’ White was indeed a ‘character’ and well respected. Although not much has been recorded about the man his story is like many other ‘deserving poor’ - short and simple. Willie was below average height and his general appearance was somewhat squat, but neither deformed nor repulsive. Entertaining his street audiences by playing popular and patriotic tunes White worked his talents from Jamaica Street to the Trongate. The small sums that he collected allowed Willie to live in what was then referred to as ‘respectable poverty’. |
On 11th September 1858 while still by no means an old man, he suddenly took ill on Glasgow Green. Willie lived long enough to be taken home to his lodgings at 102 Saltmarket, where he died later that same day. His friends and admirers provided for his decent burial in the far left row in Western Section of the Southern Necropolis, his resting place being marked by a simple headstone bearing a stone flute and the box in which it was carried.
Headstone Photograph
Further Information
LastName: WEE WILLIE WHITE
Cemetery: Sothern Necropolis
Caledonia Road
Town: Glasgow
Region: Glasgow and Clyde Valley
Country: Scotland
Please Note, the marker on this map indicates the Cemetery location, not the location of a particular grave.