| John Galt | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 May 1779 Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland |
| Died | 11 April 1839 (aged 59) Greenock, Scotland |
| Occupation | Writer, colonial businessman |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Period | 1812–1839 |
| Genres | poetry, drama, short stories, travel writing |
| Notable work(s) | Annals of the Parish The Chronicle of Dalmailing |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Tilloch |
John Galt (2 May 1779 – 11 April 1839) was a Scottish novelist, entrepreneur, and political and social commenter. Because he was the first novelist to deal with issues of the industrial revolution, he has been called the first political novelist in the English language.[1]
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Born in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland, Galt was the son of a naval captain.[2] When his family relocated to Malden in 1789, Galt became an apprentice and junior clerk, writing essays and stories for local journals in his spare time. He moved to London in 1804 to seek his fortune and in 1809 began studying law at Lincoln's Inn.[3]
While subsequently traveling in Europe, Galt met and befriended Lord Byron. On his return to London, Galt wrote an account of his travels, which met with moderate success. Decades later, he would also publish the first full biography of Lord Byron. He also published the first biography of the painter Benjamin West, The Life and Studies of Benjamin West (1816, expanded 1820).[3]
In 1813, Galt attempted to establish a Gibraltarian trading company, in order to circumvent Napoleon's embargo on British trade; however, Wellington's victory in Spain made this no longer necessary. Galt then returned to London and married Elizabeth Tilloch, daughter of Alexander Tilloch.[4] In 1815, he became Secretary of the Royal Caledonian Asylum in London. He also privately consulted in several business ventures.[2]
Concentrating on his writing for the next several years, Galt lived at times in London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and elsewhere, writing fiction and a number of school texts under the pseudonym Reverend T. Clark. In addition to moving his residence frequently during this period, Galt also switched publishers several times, moving from Blackwood's Magazine to Oliver and Boyd and then back again.[2]
In 1824, Galt was appointed Secretary to the Canada Company, a charter company established to aid in the colonization of the Huron Tract in Upper Canada. While in Canada, Galt lived in Ontario, where he founded the city of Guelph in 1827.[2] The community of Galt in Ontario was named after him. His three sons played prominent roles in Canadian politics; one of them, Alexander, was one of the 'Fathers of the Confederation', and Canada's first Minister of Finance.[2]
During his tenure with the Canada Company, Galt ran afoul of several colonial authorities, including Sir Peregrine Maitland, who was Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada at the time.[2] He was heavily criticised by his employers for his lack of basic accounting skills and failure to carry out their established policies. This resulted in his dismissal and recall to Great Britain in 1829.[2]
Soon after his return to England he was imprisoned for several months for failure to pay his debts.[2] One of Galt's last novels, The Member, has political corruption as its central theme.[2]
Despite failing health, Galt was involved in another colonial business venture, the British American Land Company, which was formed to develop lands in the Eastern Townships of Lower Canada. Galt served as secretary but was forced to resign in December 1832 because of his health.[5][6]
He retired to Greenock in Scotland, publishing his two volume Autobiography in 1833.[7]
John Galt is commemorated in Makars' Court, outside The Writers' Museum, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh and by the John Galt memorial fountain in Greenock. In 2006, the community of Guelph proclaimed the first Monday in August, "John Galt Day."[8][9][10]
The city of Galt, Ontario was named after John Galt, but was absorbed into Cambridge, Ontario in 1973.
His original home in Guelph is currently the site of the local landmark Trapper's Alley.[11]
Galt's novels are best known for their depiction of Scottish rural life, tinged with ironic humour. Galt wrote the following works:[7]