George MacDonald
(1824-1905), Poet and novelistSitter in 17 portraits
Though no longer well known, George MacDonald's works, particularly his fairy tales and fantasies, have inspired many writers including W.H. Auden, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton. MacDonald began his life as a clergyman, but he turned his attention to writing. He initially attracted notice for poetry and his adult fantasy, Phantastes, but once he turned to the writing of realistic novels in the early 1860s, his name became widely known. Over the next thirty years, he wrote some fifty books, including novels, poetry, short stories, fantasy, sermons, essays, and a full-length study of Hamlet. After his death, MacDonald's reputation gradually declined, and most of his books are now out of print.
by William Jeffrey
albumen print, 1860s
NPG P36
by Sir George Reid
oil on canvas, 1868
NPG 2011
by Elliott & Fry
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG x13196
by William Jeffrey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax7520
by Elliott & Fry
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax17803
by Henry Joseph Whitlock
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax39850
by George Charles Wallich
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1867
NPG x13197
by Elliott & Fry
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s
NPG Ax18214
by Elliott & Fry
albumen cabinet card, 1870s
NPG x29179
published by Hughes & Edmonds
albumen print, published 1876
NPG Ax132899
by Robert White Thrupp
albumen cabinet card, circa 1880
NPG x38229
Various writers, historians and philanthropists
by and after Elliott & Fry
bromide print, 1890s
NPG Ax139908
by Elliott & Fry
photogravure, 1890s
NPG x27331
by Elliott & Fry
albumen cabinet card, 1892?
NPG x13195
by Elliott & Fry, published by Maclure, Macdonald & Co
photogravure, 1892
NPG x13194
by Richard Austin Artlett, published by Henry Graves & Co, after Sir George Reid
line engraving, published 10 May 1869
NPG D38074
by Unknown artist
lithograph, 1870s-1880s
NPG D38075
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