About
George MacDonald, born December 10, 1824, in Huntly, Scotland, was a writer and Congregational minister. After studying at the University of Aberdeen and Highbury College, he was ordained but soon resigned due to a doctrinal dispute. He then devoted himself to writing, producing poetry, novels, fairy tales, sermons, and essays. His major work, Phantastes (1858), is considered a precursor to modern fantasy. He is also known for his realistic Scottish novels and theological writings, including Unspoken Sermons. He influenced authors such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. He died on September 18, 1905, in England.
* 1824-12-10 — † 1905-09-18
Major works
- Phantastes: A Faerie Romance for Men and Women (1858)novel
- At the Back of the North Wind (1871)children's novel
- The Princess and the Goblin (1872)children's novel
- Lilith (1895)novel
- Unspoken Sermons (1867)sermons
Key milestones
- 1858Publication of Phantastes, considered a landmark of modern fantasy.
- 1869Becomes editor of the periodical Good Words for the Young.
- 1905Dies on September 18 in Ashtead, Surrey, England.
Themes
Divine fatherhoodRedemptionImaginationSpiritual journeyInnocence and childhood
Sources: britannica.com · onlinelibrary.wiley.com · catdir.loc.gov