Matthias Barr

Matthias Barr (1831–1911) was born in Edinburgh, the son of a German-born watchmaker, and educated at the High School and Academy there. After a visit to Germany he settled in London, where he held a post and later kept a music-selling and publishing business.

His first volume of verse appeared in 1865, followed by several short collections of simple lyrics and verses for children. Two of his nursery poems, “Moon, so round and yellow” and “Only a baby small”, were widely reprinted.