Thomas Pringle

Thomas Pringle ( born January 5, 1789 in Blaiklaw, Scotland, † December 5, 1834 in London, England ) was a Scottish- South African writer, poet and abolitionist.

Life

Thomas Pringle studied at the University of Edinburgh, where he developed his talent for writing. He worked as an editor for newspapers and magazines, before he emigrated to South Africa in 1820 and settled in Bedford, where he lived for two years. Then he moved to Cape Town, where he oversaw South Africa Library. After his return to Europe Pringle was working for the British Anti- Slavery Society.

Although Pringle lived in South Africa for only six years, he is considered the father of South African literature, the first successful English language poet and author, the South African landscapes, people and their living conditions had described. In memory of Thomas Pringle Thomas Pringle Award is given to the English Academy of Southern Africa annually.

Writings (selection )

• Thomas Pringle: A Narrative of Residence in South Africa. General Books, Memphis, Tenn. 2010, ISBN 978-0-217-26131-9 ( d Nachdr two-volume ed Brentwood, 1834).