Alexander Balfour (novelist) facts for kids
Alexander Balfour (born 1767, died 1829) was a Scottish writer. He wrote many novels and poems. He was born in a place called Monikie in Forfarshire, Scotland.
Biography
Alexander Balfour was born on March 1, 1767. His parents were very poor. He was a twin and was cared for by a relative. Alexander was often sick and didn't get much schooling. When he was young, he learned to be a weaver. Later, he taught at a school in his hometown. Many people remembered him as a good teacher. In 1793, when he was 26, he started working as a clerk for a merchant in Arbroath. He got married in 1794.
Alexander started writing when he was just twelve years old. Soon after, his poems appeared in the "poets' corner" of his local newspaper. He also wrote poems for the British Chronicle newspaper and for The Bee magazine. In the 1790s, he wrote for other magazines like the Dundee Repository and the Aberdeen Magazine.
After four years in Arbroath, he changed jobs. Two years later, his first boss died. Alexander then ran the business with the boss's widow. In 1800, he took on a new partner. They got a government contract to supply canvas to the navy. This helped him become quite wealthy in a few years.
During the war with France, Alexander wrote patriotic poems and songs. These were printed in the Dundee Advertiser and then in London. He also wrote many songs for the Northern Minstrel and poems for the Montrose Literary Mirror. He wrote about Arbroath for Sir David Brewster's Edinburgh Encyclopædia. He also wrote articles for Philosophical Magazine.
In 1814, Alexander moved to Trottick, near Dundee. He became a manager for a London company there. But the next year, the company went bankrupt. Alexander had to find work again. He found a small job managing a factory in Balgonie, Fife. In 1818, he moved to Edinburgh. He wanted his children to get a good education. He got a job as a clerk at a big publishing company, Messrs. Blackwood.
Sadly, a few months later, he had a paralysis stroke. In June 1818, he had to stop working. He got better enough to be moved around in a special chair. His mind was still sharp, so he spent his time writing.
In 1819, his novel Campbell; or the Scottish Probationer was published. It was very popular. That same year, he helped publish Richard Gall's poems. In 1820, he published Contemplation; with Other Poems. His second novel, Farmer's Three Daughters, came out in 1822. In 1823, he published The Foundling of Glenthorn; or the Smuggler's Cave. In 1825, he republished Characters omitted in Crabbe's Parish Register. His novel Highland Mary was published in 1827.
Alexander Balfour died on September 12, 1829. His last works, called Weeds and Wildflowers, were published after he died. Dr. D. M. Moir helped edit them and wrote about Alexander's life. Alexander wrote his novels for The Minerva Press because he needed money. But he always wrote stories with good morals. He was known for his emotional writing, his smart observations, and his great way of describing characters. The politician George Canning even sent him £100 to help him.
Works
- The genius of Caledonia: a poem on the threatened French invasion. 1798.
- Campbell or The Scottish Probationer. 1819.
- Contemplation and other poems. 1820.
- The Farmers' Three Daughters. 1822.
- The Foundling of Glenthorn, or the Smugglers' Cave. 1823.
- Characters, omitted in Crabbe's Parish Register; with other tales. 1825.
- Highland Mary. 1826.
- Weeds and Wildflowers. 1830.
