William Aytoun was born at 21 Abercromby Place in the New Town of Edinburgh, the only son of Joan Keir (1771–1861) and Roger Aytoun WS (1769–1843), Director of the Chancery of Scotland.
His parents were both Episcopalians.

To his mother, a woman of culture, he owed his early fondness for literature (including  ballad poetry), his political sympathies, and his admiration for the House of Stuart.
He also counted poet Sir Robert Aytoun (died 1638) among his relatives.

At the age of eleven years William was sent to the Edinburgh Academy, and subsequently entered the University of Edinburgh.
William Aytoun was born at 21 Abercromby Place in the New Town of Edinburgh, the only son of Joan Keir (1771–1861) and Roger Aytoun WS (1769–1843), Director of the Chancery of Scotland. His parents were both Episcopalians.
To his mother, a woman of culture, he owed his early fondness for literature (including  ballad poetry), his political sympathies, and his admiration for the House of Stuart. He also counted poet Sir Robert Aytoun (died 1638) among his relatives.
At the age of eleven years William was sent to the Edinburgh Academy, and subsequently entered the University of Edinburgh.
William Edmondstoune Aytoun