Stephen Archer
George MacDonald
George MacDonald was born on December 10th 1824 at Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The MacDonald family had proud and long historical roots. His father, was a farmer, was a direct descendant of one of the families that suffered in the infamous massacre of 1692 when the Campbells set upon the MacDonalds.
George grew up with the Congregational Church, with its atmosphere of Calvinism to which George never really attached himself. A story often told is that the young George on hearing that life was already mapped out and pre-destined burst into tears and was only comforted by the re-assurance that he was one of the elect.
When he was only 8, his mother Helen died. His father re-married 7 years later in 1839. The next year George was successful in obtaining a bursary to study at King’s College in Aberdeen and from which he also received his M.A.
In 1846 George was first published, anonymously, but his poem was there in print in the Scottish Congregational Magazine.
In 1848 he attended Highbury Theological College to study for the Congregational ministry. That same year he became engaged to Louisa Powell. An enduring relationship that would see them as life long companions coupled with a marriage of over fifty years.
By 1850 George was appointed as the pastor of Trinity Congregational Church in Arundel. His sermons were however sometimes at odds with the Church and their more segmented views.
It is also at this time that George’s health becomes a major concern. In November he suffered what would be termed ‘a severe haemorrhage’. However Louisa was by his side and her support and nursing ensured his recovery.
On March 8th 1851 George and Louisa married. As a Christmas gift to friends later that year he had printed his translation of Twelve of the Spiritual Songs of Novalis.
The year of 1852 started on a very bright note with the birth of his daughter on January 4th – Lilia.
Meanwhile George preached that with God’s universal love and the possibility that none would, ultimately, fail to unite with God were deemed to be almost heretical by the Church elders and as a punishment his salary was cut in half in June of 1852.
In May 1853 George could no longer reconcile with the Church’s demands and he resigned from the pulpit. Interestingly in his later novels, such as Robert Falconer and Lilith, there is common theme for distaste at the idea that God's electing love is limited to some and denied to others running through.
Happier news for 1853 was the birth of his daughter Mary Josephine born on July 23rd.
And with this the family decided to move to Manchester where he continued his ministerial work but his health again deteriorated. Another daughter, Caroline Grace was born on September 16th 1854. In 1855 his collection of poems ‘Within and Without’ was published.
On 20th January 1856 his son Greville was born. The year brought further good news when Lady Byron decided to become his patron. However his health once more deteriorated and the family moved to Algiers to recuperate over the winter.
The following spring he was back in London and teaching at the University of London.
On August 31st 1857 a fourth daughter, Irene, was born and the family decided to settle in Hastings.
1858 brought bitter sweet times. His brother and Father both died but another daughter, Winifrid Louisa was born and his classic work ‘Phantastes’ was published.
The following year, 1859, George returned again to London and became the Professor of English Literature at Bedford College.
The following few years brought several more children into the ever growing family and a growing literary reputation.
In 1869 George accepted the editorship of Good Words for the Young and embarked on a lecture tour of Scotland.
In 1871 ‘At the Back of the North Wind’ was published followed by such other classics as Wilfrid Cumbermede, The Princess and the Goblin and in 1876, Exotics.
In 1877 came the beginning of a new chapter in
Author - George MacDonald.
Narrator - Tom McLean.
Published Date - Friday, 16 January 2026.
Copyright - © 2025 Deadtree Publishing ©.
Location:
United States
Description:
George MacDonald was born on December 10th 1824 at Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The MacDonald family had proud and long historical roots. His father, was a farmer, was a direct descendant of one of the families that suffered in the infamous massacre of 1692 when the Campbells set upon the MacDonalds. George grew up with the Congregational Church, with its atmosphere of Calvinism to which George never really attached himself. A story often told is that the young George on hearing that life was already mapped out and pre-destined burst into tears and was only comforted by the re-assurance that he was one of the elect. When he was only 8, his mother Helen died. His father re-married 7 years later in 1839. The next year George was successful in obtaining a bursary to study at King’s College in Aberdeen and from which he also received his M.A. In 1846 George was first published, anonymously, but his poem was there in print in the Scottish Congregational Magazine. In 1848 he attended Highbury Theological College to study for the Congregational ministry. That same year he became engaged to Louisa Powell. An enduring relationship that would see them as life long companions coupled with a marriage of over fifty years. By 1850 George was appointed as the pastor of Trinity Congregational Church in Arundel. His sermons were however sometimes at odds with the Church and their more segmented views. It is also at this time that George’s health becomes a major concern. In November he suffered what would be termed ‘a severe haemorrhage’. However Louisa was by his side and her support and nursing ensured his recovery. On March 8th 1851 George and Louisa married. As a Christmas gift to friends later that year he had printed his translation of Twelve of the Spiritual Songs of Novalis. The year of 1852 started on a very bright note with the birth of his daughter on January 4th – Lilia. Meanwhile George preached that with God’s universal love and the possibility that none would, ultimately, fail to unite with God were deemed to be almost heretical by the Church elders and as a punishment his salary was cut in half in June of 1852. In May 1853 George could no longer reconcile with the Church’s demands and he resigned from the pulpit. Interestingly in his later novels, such as Robert Falconer and Lilith, there is common theme for distaste at the idea that God's electing love is limited to some and denied to others running through. Happier news for 1853 was the birth of his daughter Mary Josephine born on July 23rd. And with this the family decided to move to Manchester where he continued his ministerial work but his health again deteriorated. Another daughter, Caroline Grace was born on September 16th 1854. In 1855 his collection of poems ‘Within and Without’ was published. On 20th January 1856 his son Greville was born. The year brought further good news when Lady Byron decided to become his patron. However his health once more deteriorated and the family moved to Algiers to recuperate over the winter. The following spring he was back in London and teaching at the University of London. On August 31st 1857 a fourth daughter, Irene, was born and the family decided to settle in Hastings. 1858 brought bitter sweet times. His brother and Father both died but another daughter, Winifrid Louisa was born and his classic work ‘Phantastes’ was published. The following year, 1859, George returned again to London and became the Professor of English Literature at Bedford College. The following few years brought several more children into the ever growing family and a growing literary reputation. In 1869 George accepted the editorship of Good Words for the Young and embarked on a lecture tour of Scotland. In 1871 ‘At the Back of the North Wind’ was published followed by such other classics as Wilfrid Cumbermede, The Princess and the Goblin and in 1876, Exotics. In 1877 came the beginning of a new chapter in Author - George MacDonald. Narrator - Tom McLean. Published Date - Friday, 16 January 2026. Copyright - © 2025 Deadtree Publishing ©.
Language:
English