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| − | '''William Topaz McGonagall''' (1830-1902) was a noted [[Scotland|Scottish]] [[poet]], tragedian and [[historian]].
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| − | A minimally educated weaver, he only took to poetry late in life, following an [[epiphany]]. He took at once to writing memorable verses, often about his native land, two of the most famous being "Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay" and "[[Tay Bridge|The Tay Bridge Disaster]]", and walked all the way to [[Balmoral Castle]] to obtain the patronage of [[Queen Victoria]].
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| − | Although only one book of his works, ''Poetic Gems'', was published during his lifetime, material sufficient for two subsequent volumes was written and published posthumously.
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| − | He was a celebrated live performer, dressed in [[tartan]] and brandishing a broadsword as he declaimed his verse, performing regularly in his home town of [[Dundee]], and latterly all across lower Scotland.
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| − | An early advocate of [[temperance]], his poetry frequently warned against the perils of [[alcohol]].
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| − | It should be added that McGonagall's fame rests exclusively with the belief of many - including the creator of the website below - that he was the worst poet ever to embarrass the [[English]] language!
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| − | == External links ==
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| − | *[http://www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk/ McGonagall online]
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| − | {{DEFAULTSORT:McGonagall, William Topaz}}
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| − | [[Category:Poets]]
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| − | [[Category:Scottish People]]
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