George William Tighe facts for kids

George William Tighe (born February 25, 1776 – died March 1837) was an Irish thinker who wrote about farming. He spent much of his life in Italy. He was married to Margaret King. Through her, he became connected to the famous poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Tighe's Family Background

George William Tighe was the son of Edward Tighe. Edward was an Irish lawyer, writer, and politician. His mother was Ann Jones from County Westmeath. George's father had siblings who were also Members of Parliament (MPs). An MP is a person elected to represent a group of people in a country's parliament. His aunt, Theodosia Blachford, was a well-known Methodist. The poet Mary Tighe was one of George's cousins.

His Scientific Work

George William Tighe became known for his writings about farming. He was especially interested in potatoes.

Studying Potatoes in Italy

While living in Italy, he had potato samples sent to him. These came from different regions. He found that they were all the same type of potato.

Sharing Knowledge with Shelley

Tighe owned a copy of a book called Elements of Agricultural Chemicals. This book was written by Humphry Davy. Tighe lent this book to Percy Bysshe Shelley. Shelley was a young traveler at the time. He studied the book for a whole week.

Life with Margaret King

Tighe met Margaret King in Rome around 1803. She was visiting the city with her husband, the 2nd Earl Mountcashell. They began a very close relationship. This continued until Margaret's death in 1835.

Moving to Pisa

Margaret King stayed with her husband until 1805. Then he left her in Germany. She and Tighe moved to Jena around 1806. Later, they moved to Pisa in Italy. Margaret studied medicine at the University of Pisa. They lived in Pisa for the rest of their lives.

Living as Mr. and Mrs. Mason

Tighe and Margaret lived together in Pisa at a place called Casa Silva. They used the names "Mr and Mrs Mason." This name came from a children's book. It was written by Mary Wollstonecraft. She was a pioneer educator and a very early supporter of women's rights. Mary Wollstonecraft had been Margaret King's teacher when Margaret was young. The kind teacher in Wollstonecraft's book, Original Stories from Real Life, is named Mrs. Mason.

Connections with the Shelleys and Byron

In 1820, the "Masons" (Tighe and Margaret) were visited in Pisa. Their visitors were the poet Percy Shelley, his wife Mary Shelley, and Mary's stepsister Claire Clairmont. Mary Shelley had already written the famous book Frankenstein.

Helping the Shelleys

Margaret felt like a mother figure to Mary Shelley and Claire Clairmont. This was because they were both connected to Mary Wollstonecraft. Margaret gave good advice to Percy Shelley about his health. She also advised Claire Clairmont about her career. The Masons introduced them to new friends in Pisa. They also helped Mary Shelley set up her home. Tighe shared a lot of information with Percy Shelley. This included facts about chemistry, biology, and numbers. The Masons helped the Shelleys feel more inspired by new ideas.

Involvement with Allegra Byron

In 1821, Tighe tried to help Claire Clairmont. She wanted to get her daughter, Allegra Byron, out of a convent. Allegra's father was Lord Byron. Tighe made a trip to Ravenna and Bagnacavallo. He wanted to learn about the convent and how Allegra was being treated there.

Later Life and Death

Tighe lived two years longer than his wife, Margaret. He died in Pisa in March 1837. Both he and Margaret are buried in the Old English Cemetery, Livorno. A copy of Tighe's will is kept in The National Archives in the United Kingdom.

Tighe's Family

George William Tighe and Margaret King had two daughters:

• Anna Laura Georgina "Laurette" Tighe (1809-1880). She wrote under the name "Sara." She was married twice. First to Adolphe Dominique Galloni d’Istria in 1831. Then to Placido Tardy in 1853.
• Catherine Elizabeth Raniera "Nerina" (1815-1874). She married Bartomoleo Cini.