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[[File:William_Knox's_grave,_New_Calton_Cemetery.jpg|thumb|300px|Grave of William Knox (1789-1825), New Calton Cemetery, Edinburgh. Photo by '''Stephen C. Dickson''', 2014. ''Licensed under Creative Commons, courtesy [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Knox%27s_grave,_New_Calton_Cemetery.JPG Wikimedia Commons]''.]]
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'''William Knox''' (1789-1825) was a [[Scottish poetry|Scottish poet]].
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'''William Knox''' (17 August 1789 - 12 November 1825) was a [[Scottish poetry|Scottish poet]].
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==Life==
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===Overview===
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Knox, son of a farmer in Roxburghshire, wrote several books of poetry, ''The Lonely Hearth, Songs of Israel, Harp of Zion'', etc., which gained him the friendship of [[Walter Scott|Scott]]. He fell into dissipated habits, was latterly a journalist in Edinburgh, and died at 36.<ref>John William Cousin, "[https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/A_Short_Biographical_Dictionary_of_English_Literature/Knox,_William Knox, William]," ''A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature''. London: Dent / New York: Dutton, 1910, 226. Wikisource, Web, Feb. 4, 2018.</ref>
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===Youth and education===
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Knox was born at Firth, parish of Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire. He receivied an elementary education at Lilliesleaf and Musselburgh.<ref name=dnb31337/>
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===Career===
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He farmed without success near Langholm, Dumfriesshire, from 1812 to 1817. He "became too soon his own master," says Scott, "and plunged into dissipation and ruin." (''Journal'', i. 39). His farming career over, he returned to his native place.<ref name=dnb31337>Bayne, 337.</ref>
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In 1820 the family settled in Edinburgh, and Knox became a [[journalist]]. Sir [[Walter Scott]], [[John Wilson (19th century)|Prof. Wilson]], and others befriended him, and Scott frequently gave him substantial financial relief. Knox's convivial habits undermined his health, and he died at Edinburgh of paralysis.<ref name=dnb31338>Bayne, 338.</ref>
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==Writing==
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Besides a prose ''Visit to Dublin'' and a Christmas tale, ''Mariamne; or, The widower's daughter'', Knox published ''The Lonely Hearth, and other poems'', 1818; ''The Songs of Israel'', 1824; and ''The Harp of Zion'', 1825. His lyrics are graceful and thoughtful. Scott thought Knox in ''The Lonely Hearth'' superior to [[Michael Bruce (poet)|Michael Bruce]].<ref name=dnb31338/>
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==Recognition==
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A complete edition of Knox's poems appeared in 1847.<ref name=dnb31338/>
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"Mortality" ("Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud?"), from ''Songs of Israel'', was a favorite of [[Abraham Lincoln]].<ref name=dnb31338/>
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==Publications==
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===Poetry===
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*''The Lonely Hearth, and other poems''. North Shields, UK: privately published, printed by.K. Pollock, 1818.
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*''Songs of Israel: Consisting of lyrics, founded upon the history and poetry of the Hebrew scripture''. Edinburgh: J. Anderson, 1824.
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*''The Harp of Zion: A series of lyrics, founded upon the Hebrew Scriptures''. Edinburgh: John Fairbairn, 1825.
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*''[https://archive.org/details/lonelyhearthson00knoxgoog The Lonely Hearth; The songs of Israel; Harp of Zion; and other poems]''. London: J. Johnstone, 1847.
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*''President Lincoln's Favorite Poem''. Philadelphia: A.W. Auner, 1865.
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*''[https://archive.org/details/ohwhyshouldspiri00knox Oh, why should the spirit of moral be proud?]'' (illustrated by Lizbeth Bullock Humphrey).Boston : Lee & Shepard / New York: C.T. Dillingham, 1877.
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===Non-fiction===
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*''A Visit to Dublin: Containing a description of the principal curiosities and public buildings in the Irish metropolis''. Edinburgh: John Fairbairn, 1824.<ref>[https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=visit+au%3AWilliam+Knox&qt=results_page Search results = visit + au:William Knox], WorldCat. OCLC Online Computer Library Center Inc. Web, July 29, 2016.</ref>
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<small>''Except where noted, bibliographical information courtesy [[WorldCat]]''</small>.<ref>[https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=au%3AWilliam+Knox+1825&qt=advanced&dblist=638 Search results = au:William Knox 1825], WorldCat. OCLC Online Computer Library Center Inc. Web, July 29, 2016.</ref>
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[[File:Oh Why Should the Spirit of Mortal be Proud?|thumb|right|335 px]]
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==See also==
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*[[List of British poets]]
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==References==
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*{{Cite DNB|title=Knox, William (1789-1825)|volume=31|page=337-338|first=Thomas Wilson|last=Bayne}}. Wikisource, Web, July 28, 2016.
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===Notes===
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{{Reflist|2}}
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==External links==
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;Poems
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*[https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/william-knox William Knox] poem at the [[Academy of American Poets]]
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*[http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln38.html Abraham Lincoln's Favorite Poem]
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*"[http://spenserians.cath.vt.edu/TextRecord.php?action=GET&textsid=36154 Ellen]"
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*"[http://spenserians.cath.vt.edu/TextRecord.php?action=GET&textsid=36153 The Wooer' Visit]"
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*[https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/william-knox William Knox] profile & 2 poems at the [[Scottish Poetry Library]]
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*[http://www.poemhunter.com/william-knox/ William Knox] at [[PoemHunter]] (3 poems)
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;About
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*[http://spenserians.cath.vt.edu/AuthorRecord.php?&method=GET&recordid=33419 William Knox (1789-1825)] at [[English Poetry, 1579-1830]]
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*{{DNB}} [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Knox,_William_(1789-1825)_(DNB00) Knox, William (1789-1825)]
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{{Authority control|VIAF=31913321}}
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
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| NAME = Knox, William
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Scottish poet
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| DATE OF BIRTH = 17 August 1789
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| PLACE OF BIRTH = Firth, Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire, Scotland
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| DATE OF DEATH = 12 November 1825
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| PLACE OF DEATH = Edinburgh, Scotland
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}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Knox, William}}
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{{2016}}
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[[Category:1789 births]]
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[[Category:1825 deaths]]
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[[Category:19th-century poets]]
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[[Category:English-language poets]]
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[[Category:Poets]]
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[[Category:Scottish poets]]

Revision as of 22:58, 4 February 2018

William Knox's grave, New Calton Cemetery

Grave of William Knox (1789-1825), New Calton Cemetery, Edinburgh. Photo by Stephen C. Dickson, 2014. Licensed under Creative Commons, courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

William Knox (17 August 1789 - 12 November 1825) was a Scottish poet.

Life

Overview

Knox, son of a farmer in Roxburghshire, wrote several books of poetry, The Lonely Hearth, Songs of Israel, Harp of Zion, etc., which gained him the friendship of Scott. He fell into dissipated habits, was latterly a journalist in Edinburgh, and died at 36.[1]

Youth and education

Knox was born at Firth, parish of Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire. He receivied an elementary education at Lilliesleaf and Musselburgh.[2]

Career

He farmed without success near Langholm, Dumfriesshire, from 1812 to 1817. He "became too soon his own master," says Scott, "and plunged into dissipation and ruin." (Journal, i. 39). His farming career over, he returned to his native place.[2]

In 1820 the family settled in Edinburgh, and Knox became a journalist. Sir Walter Scott, Prof. Wilson, and others befriended him, and Scott frequently gave him substantial financial relief. Knox's convivial habits undermined his health, and he died at Edinburgh of paralysis.[3]

Writing

Besides a prose Visit to Dublin and a Christmas tale, Mariamne; or, The widower's daughter, Knox published The Lonely Hearth, and other poems, 1818; The Songs of Israel, 1824; and The Harp of Zion, 1825. His lyrics are graceful and thoughtful. Scott thought Knox in The Lonely Hearth superior to Michael Bruce.[3]

Recognition

A complete edition of Knox's poems appeared in 1847.[3]

"Mortality" ("Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud?"), from Songs of Israel, was a favorite of Abraham Lincoln.[3]

Publications

Poetry

  • The Lonely Hearth, and other poems. North Shields, UK: privately published, printed by.K. Pollock, 1818.
  • Songs of Israel: Consisting of lyrics, founded upon the history and poetry of the Hebrew scripture. Edinburgh: J. Anderson, 1824.
  • The Harp of Zion: A series of lyrics, founded upon the Hebrew Scriptures. Edinburgh: John Fairbairn, 1825.
  • The Lonely Hearth; The songs of Israel; Harp of Zion; and other poems. London: J. Johnstone, 1847.
  • President Lincoln's Favorite Poem. Philadelphia: A.W. Auner, 1865.
  • Oh, why should the spirit of moral be proud? (illustrated by Lizbeth Bullock Humphrey).Boston : Lee & Shepard / New York: C.T. Dillingham, 1877.

Non-fiction

  • A Visit to Dublin: Containing a description of the principal curiosities and public buildings in the Irish metropolis. Edinburgh: John Fairbairn, 1824.[4]


Except where noted, bibliographical information courtesy WorldCat.[5]

Oh_Why_Should_the_Spirit_of_Mortal_be_Proud?

Oh Why Should the Spirit of Mortal be Proud?

See also

References

  • PD-icon Bayne, Thomas Wilson (1892) "Knox, William (1789-1825)" in Lee, Sidney Dictionary of National Biography 31 London: Smith, Elder, p. 337-338 . Wikisource, Web, July 28, 2016.

Notes

  1. ↑ John William Cousin, "Knox, William," A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature. London: Dent / New York: Dutton, 1910, 226. Wikisource, Web, Feb. 4, 2018.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bayne, 337.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Bayne, 338.
  4. ↑ Search results = visit + au:William Knox, WorldCat. OCLC Online Computer Library Center Inc. Web, July 29, 2016.
  5. ↑ Search results = au:William Knox 1825, WorldCat. OCLC Online Computer Library Center Inc. Web, July 29, 2016.

External links

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