Herd, David (1732 — 1810)
A native of St Cyrus in Kincardineshire, whose collection, Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs, Heroic Ballads, etc., appeared in 1776. The one volume 1769 edition, it is surmised from a letter of Bishop Percy to Paton, was entirely or in part edited by Paton. Otherwise Herd is always alluded to as the editor. Herd became the clerk of an accountant in Edinburgh, a Mr David Russell. Scott said Herd: 'was known and generally esteemed for his shrewd, manly common sense, and antiquarian science, mixed with much good nature and great modesty. His hardy and antique mould of countenance, and his venerable grizzled locks, procured him, amongst his acquaintances, the name of 'Graysteil.' Scott called Herd's collection 'the first classical collection of Scottish songs and ballads.' Ritson (see Ritson, Joseph) was 'bound in gratitude to acknowledge indebtedness to it' for 'a number of excellent and genuine compositions, never before printed'. Burns was, of course, familiar with Herd's collection.
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