John Francis Waller facts for kids

John Francis Waller (born July 21, 1809 – died January 19, 1894) was an Irish poet, someone who wrote words for songs (called a librettist), and an editor. He was known for his poems and for writing the lyrics to many popular songs of his time.

About John Francis Waller

John Francis Waller was born in Finnoe, County Tipperary, Ireland. He came from a well-known Irish family. He went to Trinity College, Dublin, and finished his studies in 1831. In 1833, he became a lawyer, which means he could practice law in Ireland.

Waller was also a talented writer. He wrote for a magazine called the Dublin University Magazine using a pen name, "Jonathan Freke Slingsby." A pen name is a fake name a writer uses. He later became the editor of this magazine in 1845. Being an editor means he was in charge of what went into the magazine.

He was also important in academic groups. From 1864, he was the vice-president of the Royal Irish Academy, which is a respected group that promotes learning and research in Ireland. In 1867, he was given a job as the Registrar of the Rolls Court, a high-ranking position in the legal system. His older brother was Edward Waller, a zoologist (someone who studies animals).

His Writings and Music

Besides editing the Dublin University Magazine, John Francis Waller also helped edit other big books. He worked on the Imperial Dictionary of Universal Biography, which was a huge collection of stories about famous people from history. He also wrote articles for Cassell's Biographical Dictionary, another book about important individuals.

Waller wrote several books of poems. He was also famous for writing the words to many popular songs. Some of his well-known songs include Cushla Ma Chree, The Spinning Wheel, and Song of the Glass. Many Irish composers, like Joseph Robinson and Robert Prescott Stewart, used Waller's poems and odes (special poems) and set them to music. Stewart especially liked Waller's works. Other composers from different countries, such as George Alexander Macfarren and Franz Wilhelm Abt, also used his words for their music.

Waller also helped create a new edition of the famous book "Gulliver's Travels" by Dean Jonathan Swift. He wrote helpful notes and a story about Swift's life for this edition.

Prose (Stories and Books)

• Ravenscroft Hall (1852)
• The Dead Bridal (1856)
• Peter Brown (1872)

Librettos (Words for Music)

• Inauguration Ode for the Opening of the National Exhibition of Cork (music by R.P. Stewart) (1852)
• A Winter Night's Wake (music by R.P. Stewart) (1858)
• The Eve of St. John (music by R.P. Stewart) (1860)
• Ode for the Installation of the Earl of Rosse as Chancellor of the University of Dublin (music by R.P. Stewart) (1863)

Editorships (Books he edited)

• Gulliver's Travels (1864)
• Goldsmith's Works (1864/65)

Images for kids

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  This image shows the coat of arms associated with John Francis Waller.