William Cameron; aka "Hawkie" was a famous Glasgow begger. Born in Stirling around 1790; a farmyard accident during childhood resulted in an injury to his leg; necessitating the use of crutches for the rest of his life. He was given a good education; and after following a number of trades; he gravitated towards Glasgow where he set up in business as a "chapman"; a peddler of broadside ballads and chapbooks. He was a well-known character famed for his witty repartees. Hawkie was described as the "prince of gangrels". Despite his unkempt appearance he always attracted a large crowd. This was mainly due to his powers as an orator; and the sale of his chapbooks was always accompanied by witty descriptions of their contents.His nickname derived from predictions of a prophet named Hawkie; which was supposedly a cow from Aberdour in Fife.Hawkie died penniless in the Glasgow City Poorhouse in September 1851.Glasgow: D. Robertson & Co. 1888.From: William Cameron; Hawkie; the autobiography of a Gangrel. Edited [or rather; written] by J. Strathesk.10827. aa. 24 Title pageLondon; British Library.