Charles Mackay (27 March - ) was a Scottish poet, songwriter, and journalist. A bestselling songwriter in his day, Mackay is better known today for his non-fiction work, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds. Mackay, son of a naval officer, was born at Perth, and educated at the Royal Caledonian Asylum, London, and at Brussels, but much of his early life was spent.