Scottish Blog

1824-1905

George MacDonald was a famous Scottish fantasy author.

George MacDonald was born on the 10th of December 1824, in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He received his education at the University of Aberdeen, after which he continued to study at the Highbury College for the Congregational Ministry, in London.

In 1850 George Macdonald was appointed as the pastor of Trinity Congregational Church in Arundel, England. George MacDonald found limited luck in this profession as he questioned some principals of the Calvinist faith that he was preaching. Specifically, he was against predestination and preached according to his belief. As such, his pay for halved by the church. In 1872, George MacDonald began preaching in the United States, where he was met with greater success. After which he returned to the United Kingdom.

While back in England and Scotland George MacDonald wrote his most famous tales, Phantastes, The Princess and the Goblin, At the Back of the North Wind, and Lilith. These were all fantasy themed and had a strong Scottish theme, in some areas incorporating even his own Doric dialect (lowland Scottish). This form of distinctively Scottish writing with a fantasy theme is said to be the beginning of the “Kailyard Tradition” of Scottish writing.

George MacDonald was an important member of the “Inklings” writer’s club, which included famous authors such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien. His discussions and ideas at meeting of this group led to George MacDonald being named by many of the authors as an influence to their work. Chief amongst these is Lewis Carroll who was mentored by George MacDonald.