Samuel Ferguson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel Ferguson
|
|
|---|---|
Sir Samuel Ferguson
|
|
| Born | 10 March 1810 Belfast, Ireland |
| Died | 9 August 1886 (aged 76) Howth, Ireland |
| Occupation | Barrister, writer, Antiquarian |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Genre | Irish poetry |
| Notable works | Congal, Lays of the Western Gaels |
| Spouse | Mary Guinness |
| Signature | |
 |
|
Sir Samuel Ferguson (born March 10, 1810 – died August 9, 1886) was an important Irish poet, a barrister (which means he was a type of lawyer), and an antiquarian. An antiquarian is someone who studies old things, like ancient history and artifacts. He was also an artist and worked for the government.
Ferguson was a famous Irish poet in the 1800s. He loved Irish mythology (old Irish stories) and early Irish history. His work helped inspire later poets like William Butler Yeats and others in the Irish Literary Revival. This was a time when Irish writers wanted to celebrate Irish culture and stories.
Contents
Early Life: Where Did Samuel Ferguson Grow Up?
Samuel Ferguson was born in Belfast, Ireland. He was the third son of John Ferguson and Agnes Knox. His father spent money too quickly, but his mother loved books and stories. She often read aloud to her six children. She shared works by famous writers like Shakespeare and Walter Scott.
Ferguson lived in several places, including a spot called Glenwhirry. He later said that living there made him love nature, which inspired his writing. He went to school at the Belfast Academy and the Belfast Academical Institution. Later, he moved to Dublin to study law at Trinity College. He earned his first degree in 1826 and a higher degree in 1832.
Because his family's money was gone, Ferguson had to support himself while he was a student. He started writing and became a regular writer for Blackwood's Magazine when he was just 22 years old. He became a lawyer in 1838. Even though he was a lawyer, he kept writing and publishing his work. He wrote for Blackwood's and for a new magazine called Dublin University Magazine.
Later Life: Samuel Ferguson's Career and Achievements
Ferguson settled in Dublin and worked as a lawyer. In 1846, he traveled around Europe. He visited museums, libraries, and archaeological sites that had strong links to Irish history and learning.
In 1848, he married Mary Guinness. She was related to Arthur Guinness, who started the famous Guinness brewery. Her father also founded the Guinness Mahon bank. Ferguson stopped working as a lawyer in 1867. He was then appointed as the First Deputy Keeper of Public Records of Ireland. This job meant he was in charge of important historical documents for Ireland.
Besides his poetry, Ferguson wrote many articles about Irish topics for journals that studied old things. In 1863, he traveled to places like Brittany, Wales, England, and Scotland. He studied megaliths (large ancient stones) and other old sites. These studies were important for his major work about ancient writings, Ogham Inscriptions in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. This book was published in 1887, after he died, and was put together by his wife.
His collection of poems, Lays of the Western Gael, was published in 1865. Because of this book, he received an honorary degree from Trinity College. He wrote many of his poems in both Irish and English. He was given a special honor called a knighthood in 1878, which meant he was called "Sir Samuel Ferguson."
Ferguson's longest and most important poem, Congal, was published in 1872. He published another book of poems in 1880. In 1882, he was chosen to be the president of the Royal Irish Academy. This group works to improve science, literature, and the study of old things. His home in North Great George's Street, Dublin, was a welcoming place for anyone interested in art, books, or music.
Samuel Ferguson died in Howth, which is just outside Dublin. He was buried in Donegore in County Antrim.
Works: What Did Samuel Ferguson Write?
- The Forging of the Anchor (poem)
- Lays of the Western Gael (collection of poems)
- Congal (long poem)
- Poems (collection of poems)
- Ogham Inscriptions in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland (non-fiction book about ancient writings)
See also
In Spanish: Samuel Ferguson para niños
