He was brought up in Dysart until he was 16 years old, working there as an apprentice bookbinder, then in 1784 his family moved to Edinburgh.
Siya ay nagdala sa Dysart hanggang siya ay 16 years old, nagtatrabaho doon bilang isang aprentis ng aklat, pagkatapos ay sa 1784 ang kanyang pamilya inilipat sa Edinburgh.