- Simpson, Robert
[E] Simpson, Robert, composer, was born
at Glasgow, November 4, 1790. He was a
weaver by trade, and led the singing in Dr.
Wardlaw's church, Glasgow, for a time.
Afterwards he was precentor and session
clerk of the East Parish Church, Greenock,
from 1823. He died at Greenock, in July or
Augus^t, 1832. He composed or adapted the
tune well known in Scotland as " Ballerma,"
which was first published in TurnbuU's
" Selection of Original Sacred INIusic " (form-
ing vol. 6 of Steven's Collection), 1833, from
a MS. found after Simpson's death. On the
strength of a by no means close resemblance,
the tune " Ballerma " has been assumed to
be a copy or adaptation of a melody composed
or arranged by Barthelemon (1741-1808), a
Frerjch violinist and composer.entry id: 375-L-28
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