Internationally successful singer and comedian, music hall artiste (e.g. "Roamin' in the Gloamin'"). Born Edinburgh. His first London engagement was in 1900 and, having reduced his strong accent, this was very successful. Toured widely and the USA frequently. By 1911 he was the highest-paid performer in the world. Entertained the troops in WW1. His only son died serving in France in 1916. Died at home in Scotland.
We may be alone in this view, but Harry Lauder epitomises for us the sheer awfulness of excessively commercialised Scottishness.
