William McGonagall

William Topaz McGonagall (* 1825 in Edinburgh, † September 29, 1902 ) was a Scottish poet and eccentric. In the English-speaking world he is regarded as the worst poet of all time.

Life

McGonagall worked as a weaver in the workshop of his father in Dundee, Scotland. He was considered well-read and a good amateur actor in Shakespeare's plays. He only started writing poetry at 52 years and hoofed it through Scotland to carry them forward. His poems and finally he himself became the target extensive ridicule, under the very McGonagall suffered. Among other things, the fictional Medal him Knight of the White Elephant of Burmah was awarded ( " Knight of the White Elephant of Burma " ), McGonagall fell for it and even signed a few poems in this way. He wrote several autobiographies. Today he is a survey by the BBC as the most famous Scottish poet Robert Burns by. From McGonagall Topics covered are Scottish history, Scottish national heroes and battles. It is noteworthy that a majority of his songs with the word beautiful ( "beautiful" ) begins. He was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh. 1999, the following grave inscription was placed:

Work

McGonagall's most important poem The Tay Bridge Disaster on the train wreck in the collapse of the Firth of Tay Bridge on December 28, 1879, which is still regarded as the biggest train wreck of British history. It was immortalized by Theodor Fontane under the name The Brück 'am Tay. In 1999 the municipal council of the city of Dundee was beat these verses in stone and erect a monument near the McGonagall Society. It begins with the following verses: