George Walter Thornbury

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George Walter Thornbury (1828, London - June 11, 1876, London) was an English author. He was the son of a London solicitor. A journalist by profession, he also wrote verse, novels, art criticism and popular historical and topographical sketches. He began his career in 1845 with contributions to Bristol Journal and wrote later mainly for the Athenaeum. He is said to have died in a lunatic asylum.

[edit] Works

His first major work was Lays and legends of the New World (1851). It followed a history of the Buccaneers, Monarchs of the Main, (1855), Shakspere's England during the reign of Elisabeth (1856, 2 Vols.) und Art and nature at home and abroad (1856, 2 Vols.). His Old and New London: a Narrative of its History, its People, and its Places was first published in 2 volumes in 1872.

His poetry includes:

  • Songs of Cavaliers and Roundheads (1857)
  • Two centuries of song (1867)
  • Historical and legendary ballads and songs (1875).

Among his novels are:

  • Every man his own trumpeter (1858)
  • Icebound (1861)
  • True as steel (1863, 3 Vols.)
  • Wildfire (1864)
  • Tales for the marines (1865)
  • Haunted London (1865)
  • Greatheart (1866)
  • The vicar's courtship (1869)
  • Old stories retold (1869).

As an art writer, he wrote:

  • British artists from Hogarth to Turner (1861, 2 Vols.)
  • Life of J. M. W. Turner (1861).

Among his travel journeys:

  • Life in Spain (1859)
  • Turkish life and character (1860)
  • Tour round England (1870, 2 Vols.)
  • Criss crossjourneys (1873, 2 Vols.)
  • Old and new London (1873-74, 2 Vols.).

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This article incorporates text from the public domain 1907 edition of The Nuttall Encyclopædia.