CLELAND, WILLIAM (1661?-1689), Scottish Covenant ing poet and soldier, son of a gamekeeper, was probably brought up on the marquess of Douglas's estate in Lanarkshire, and was educated at St. Andrews university. He joined the army of the Covenanters, was present at Drumclog and fought at Bothwell Bridge. He escaped to Holland, but in 1685 was again in Scot land at the time of the abortive invasion of the earl of Argyll. He escaped once more, to return in 1688 as agent for William of Orange. He was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Cameronian regiment entrusted with the defence of Dunkeld, which they held against the fierce assault of the Highlanders on Aug. 26. This repulse of the Highlanders ended the Jacobite rising, but Cleland fell in the struggle. He wrote A Collection of Several Poems and Verses composed upon various occasions (published posthu mously, 169 7) .