Percy French facts for kids
William Percy French (born May 1, 1854 – died January 24, 1920) was a very talented Irish person. He was a songwriter, writer, poet, entertainer, and painter. He is famous for his funny songs and beautiful watercolor paintings.
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Percy French's Early Life and Education
Percy French was born at Clooneyquinn House, near Tulsk, in County Roscommon, Ireland. His father, Christopher French, owned land, and his mother was Susan Emma French. Percy was the third of nine children. His younger sister, Emily, also became a writer.
Percy went to school in England at Kirk Langley and Windermere College. Later, he attended Foyle College in Derry, Ireland. He then studied at Trinity College Dublin (TCD).
How Percy French Wrote His First Hit Song
While at Trinity College in 1877, Percy wrote his first popular song, "Abdul Abulbul Amir". He wrote it for a "smoking concert," which was a social event where people would smoke and enjoy music.
Percy printed 200 copies of the song and sold each one for a small profit. However, he forgot to officially register the copyright for his song. This meant he lost out on a lot of money when others republished it without giving him credit. Even though he lost the copyright, Percy always said he wrote the song. Years later, after he passed away, his family finally received some of the money from the song's popularity.
The song "Abdul Abulbul Amir" became very famous. It tells a funny story about two princes. One of the characters, Ivan "Potschjinski" Skivar, was a playful reference to the college's chambermaids, who were called "Pot Skivers."
Percy French as an Engineer and Artist
In 1881, Percy French finished his studies at Trinity College and became a civil engineer. He worked for the Board of Works in County Cavan, where he was an inspector of drains. Many people say he wrote some of his best songs during this time.
Percy was also a very good painter, especially of watercolor landscapes. He loved art and thought it was his true calling. When he became famous, his paintings from his engineering days became very popular.
In 1883, the Krakatoa volcano erupted far away, but its ash caused amazing sunsets all over the world. Percy painted some of his most beautiful landscapes during this period, capturing the spectacular skies. He even showed his paintings at the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA).
Percy French's Career in Journalism
Around 1888, the Board of Works reduced its staff, and Percy French decided to try journalism. He became the editor of The Jarvey, a weekly comic newspaper. Percy loved cycling and would ride his bike all over the country with his art supplies, stopping to sketch and paint.
He was good friends with Richard J. Mecredy, who edited The Irish Cyclist magazine. When Mecredy went on holiday, he asked Percy to fill in as editor. Percy's playful sense of humor led him to write funny replies to letters from readers. This caused some people to cancel their subscriptions!
Percy French: Songwriter and Entertainer
When The Jarvey newspaper closed, Percy French began his long and successful career as a songwriter and entertainer. He lived by the canal in Dublin for a while before moving to London. He famously invited his friends to visit, saying, "We have come to live by the canal, do drop in." Today, there's a granite seat by the canal dedicated to him.
Percy was well-known for writing and singing funny songs. Some of his most famous include Phil the Fluther's Ball, Slattery's Mounted Foot, and The Mountains of Mourne. He wrote "The Mountains of Mourne" with his friend and stage partner, Houston Collisson. This song uses the same tune as an older Irish song.
Percy also wrote many short plays and funny parodies. One famous parody was The Queen's After-Dinner Speech, written when Queen Victoria visited Dublin in 1900. In it, Percy humorously suggested "There's a slate off Willie Yeats," making a joke about the famous poet. He also wrote poems, some of which were sad and about people leaving Ireland.
The West Clare Railway Song
One of Percy's songs, "Are Ye Right There Michael?", made fun of the poor condition of the train system in rural County Clare. The song supposedly embarrassed the rail company so much that they sued Percy!
According to a popular local story, Percy arrived late to court. When the judge asked why, Percy replied, "Your honour, I travelled by the West Clare Railway!" The judge supposedly understood and threw out the case.
Percy French's Final Years
In January 1920, when he was 65 years old, Percy French became ill while performing in Glasgow. He sadly passed away from pneumonia in Formby, England, on January 24, 1920. He is buried in the churchyard of St Luke's Church, Formby.
Remembering Percy French
Many memorials honor Percy French:
- In 1988, a seat was placed by the canal in Dublin, near where Percy lived. It has a funny quote from him: "Remember me is all I ask, / And if that memory proves a task, forget."
- In 2008, a sculpture of Percy sitting on a park bench was put in Red Island Park, Skerries, County Dublin. This is where he was inspired to write "The Mountains of Mourne."
- A statue of Percy French sitting on a park bench is in the town center of Ballyjamesduff. It honors him and his song Come Back, Paddy Reilly, to Ballyjamesduff.
- In March 2020, a memorial was unveiled in Newcastle, County Down, near the Mountains of Mourne, to mark 100 years since his death.
Percy French's Family Life
Percy French's first wife was Ettie Kathleen Armitage Moore. They married in June 1890. Sadly, Ettie and their baby daughter died during childbirth when Ettie was only 20 years old. She is buried in Mount Jerome cemetery in Dublin.
Four years later, Percy married Helen Sheldon, who was called Lennie. They met when Lennie sang in the chorus of Percy's opera Strongbow. They had three daughters: Ettie (named after his first wife), Mollie, and Joan. Around 1900, Percy and his family moved to London.
Famous Songs by Percy French
Here are some of the well-known songs written by Percy French:
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Operas by Percy French
Percy French also worked with William Houston Collisson to create several operas:
- The Knight of the Road (1891)
- Strongbow (1892)
- Midsummer Madness (1892)
- Noah's Ark (1906)
- Freda and the Fairies
Percy French's Watercolors and Art Gallery
Percy French's artworks have become very valuable over time. In 2005, one of his watercolor landscapes, Where ever I go my heart turns back to the County Mayo, sold for a record price of €44,000 (about $47,000 USD).
The Oriel Gallery in Dublin has played a big role in promoting Percy French's paintings. The gallery's founder, Oliver Nulty, loved French's work and held many exhibitions of his watercolors. He also wrote a book about French's paintings called Lead Kindly Light. This book helped people understand how important French's art was.
Oliver Nulty opened the Oriel Gallery in 1968 with an exhibition featuring Percy French's work. He continued to promote French's art for many years. Percy French's daughters, Joan and Ettie, often visited the gallery.
Today, many of Percy French's original papers and materials are kept at the North Down Museum in Bangor, County Down. Researchers can visit by appointment to learn more about his life and work.
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