James Elphinston facts for kids
James Elphinston (born December 6, 1721 – died October 8, 1809) was an important Scottish educator and language expert. He lived in the 18th and early 19th centuries. He studied how words are spelled (orthography) and how sounds are used in language (phonology). He was also a good friend of the famous writer Samuel Johnson.
Life of James Elphinston
James Elphinston was a close friend of Samuel Johnson, a very famous English writer. Johnson even mentioned Elphinston in his biography, Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.. Elphinston also tutored Alexander James Dallas, who later became an important statesman in the United States.
Friendship with Samuel Johnson
While Johnson's famous essays, The Rambler, were being published in London, Elphinston helped publish them in Edinburgh, Scotland. He wanted to help his fellow Scots and support his friend. Elphinston also translated many short sayings (mottoes) that appeared in Johnson's Rambler essays.
Johnson clearly cared for Elphinston. In a letter from 1752, Johnson asked Elphinston to "write soon, and to write often." He hoped to repay Elphinston's letters over time.
Later Years and Work
In 1792, Elphinston moved to live in Elstree, England. Later, in 1806, he moved to Hammersmith, where he passed away in 1809. Robert Charles Dallas, a relative of his former student, wrote about Elphinston in Gentleman's Magazine in 1809.
Elphinston also translated poems by the Roman poet Martial. However, his translation was criticized by some, including the poet Robert Burns. They felt his translation changed the original poems too much or lacked poetic quality.
