Ringan Gilhaize: Or the Covenanters (The Association for Scottish literary studies) [Hardcover]

John Galt (Author), Particia J. Wilson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1985 | Series: The Association for Scottish literary studies

In a story which lays bare the strengths and the horrors of the egalitarian Scottish Presbyterian spirit, Ringan Gilhaize looks across three generations to describe Scotland’s most turbulent years, from his grandfather’s support for the Reformation, to the harsher years of his own sufferings as a persecuted Covenanter in the killing times. Unique when it was published in 1823, and unique to this day, Ringan Gilhaize is an autobiography, a folk history of enormous scope, and a compelling psychological portrait of how idealism can turn to fanaticism. History tells us that John Graham of Claverhouse ("bluidy Clavers") was killed by a stray musket ball at the battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. This is the story of the bitter religious and political conflicts that led to that battle, from the mouth of the man who pulled the trigger. Galt shows the full range and power of his writing here and reinforces his claim to be in the very highest rank of Scottish writers. Introduced by Patricia J. Wilson.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Galt published Life of Cardinal Wolsey and a volume of tragedies in 1812, then turned to writing full-time after his marriage in 1813. A second novel, The Majolo (1816) was published but met with little success. Galt found his metier with Ayrshire Legatees (1820), purporting to be letters home from a family of Scots visiting London. Appearing anonymously in monthly instal;ments in Blackwoods Magazine, this work led directly to the publication of Annals of the Parish (1821), a gently ironic masterpiece. This was followed in the same vein by The Provost (1822), while The Entail and Sir Andrew Wylie (both 1822) had similar strengths, although structured as more conventional novels. Ringan Gilhaize (1923) took a darker turn in a unique psychological and historical study of Covenanting fervor and the "killing times" in the 17th century. Becoming involved with the development of Canada, he became supervisor for the Canada Company. Galt helped to settle Ontario and founded the town of Guelph. However, he was baldy treated by the directors and after four years abroad his health failed and he returned to London to face bankruptcy and a spell in the debtor's prison. His Life of Lord Byron (1830) was a controversial success and the novels The Member and The Radical (both 1832) took a searching look at his country's political life. After suffering a disabling series of strokes he worked on his Autobiography (1833) followed by Literary Life and Miscellanies (1834).

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 398 pages
• Publisher: Scottish Academic Pr (May 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0707303575
• ISBN-13: 978-0707303574
• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,566,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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