Gerald Mangan

William McGonagall, c. 1825 - 1902. Poet and actor

About this artwork

McGonagall has a reputation as a notoriously bad poet. He wrote over 200 poems during his lifetime of which, ‘The Tay Bridge Disaster’ is perhaps most famous - its opening line: “Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay!” Born in Edinburgh, McGonagall’s family moved to Dundee where he became a hand-loom weaver. When he was about twenty he debuted his acting skills in the role of Macbeth, and his desire for performance remained with him throughout his life. He was in his early fifties before “a strong desire to write poetry” captured him. He wrote about various subjects but there was an underlying theme of man’s struggle against nature and the transience of life. This drawing shows McGonagall precariously walking along the Tay Bridge in full Highland regalia, holding a stick for balance.

Updated before 2020

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Gerald Mangan

Gerald Mangan