Margaret Oliphant Scottish writer Date of Birth: 04.04.1828 Country: Great Britain

Margaret Oliphant: Scottish Writer and Prolific Author

Margaret Oliphant was a Scottish writer who excelled in the genres of historical novels and mysticism. She wrote the majority of her works under the pseudonym Mrs. Oliphant, which was her mother's maiden name. Oliphant was born in the village of Wallyford, located near Musselburgh in East Lothian. She spent her childhood in Lasswade, Midlothian, as well as in Glasgow and Liverpool.

From an early age, Margaret showed a propensity for writing. In 1849, she published her first novel about the Free Church of Scotland, which her parents supported, and it was a success. In 1851, while in Edinburgh, she met the renowned publisher William Blackwood. Oliphant went on to work for Blackwood's Magazine, where she contributed over 100 articles throughout her life.

In May 1852, she married her cousin Frank Oliphant in Birkenhead and settled in London. Frank, an artist specializing in stained glass, had frail health. Three out of their six children died in infancy, and Frank himself showed signs of tuberculosis. In January 1859, Margaret traveled with her husband to Florence in hopes of improving his health, and they later went to Rome, where he passed away.

Left almost destitute, Margaret Oliphant returned to England and turned to writing to support herself and her three remaining children. She soon became a well-known and popular writer, known for her remarkable productivity. However, her personal life was filled with tragedy. In 1864, her only daughter died in Rome and was buried in her father's grave. Additionally, her brother, who had emigrated to Canada, fell on hard times, prompting Margaret to offer him and his children a place to live and provide for them.

In 1866, Margaret moved to Windsor to be closer to her sons, who were attending Eton. She lived there until the end of her life, continuing her active literary pursuits. During the same year, her cousin Annie Louisa Walker moved in with her and assisted with household matters. Unfortunately, both of Margaret's sons faced difficulties. Cyril Francis, the older son who wrote the book "The Life of Alfred de Musset," passed away in 1890. Francis, the younger son who collaborated with his mother on the journal "Victorian Age of English Literature," managed to secure a position at the British Museum but was ultimately denied entry due to a personal feud with influential physician Andrew Clark. Francis died in 1894.

After these losses, Margaret lost all interest in life. Her health deteriorated, and three years later she passed away in Wimbledon. Her artistic legacy includes over 120 works, including novels, short stories, travel notes, and historical sketches. She was also the author of several literary-critical and literary-historical works.