William Maginn
William Maginn (born July 1794 in Cork , † August 21, 1842 in Walton-on-Thames ) was an Irish journalist.
After studying law at Trinity College in Dublin (graduated with an LL.D. in 1817) Maginn devoted himself to literature and journalism. He wrote for Blackwood's Magazine , founded in 1817 , initially under the pseudonym "Ralph Tuckett Scott." In 1823 he married and went to London. In 1824 he temporarily moved to Paris as a correspondent for the "Representative", later wrote for "The Standard" and founded in 1830 , after a falling out with Blackwood, with Hugh Fraser as Compagnon Fraser's Magazine .
Despite his journalistic successes, Maginn's life was difficult. A sharp-tongued article in January 1836 led to a duel with Member of Parliament Grantley Berkeley (1800-1881) - but both opponents missed. Unregulated expenses brought Maginn into financial difficulties, and a relationship with Miss Lanyon, who died early, may have led to the separation of his wife and children. Maginn ended up in debt prison several times . But he remained productive as a journalist until his death.
William Makepeace Thackeray took Maginn as a model for his Captain Shandon in Pendennis (1848) and probably also for the dreary end of Barry Lyndon in the debt tower.
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Maginn, William |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Irish journalist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | July 1794 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Cork |
| DATE OF DEATH | August 21, 1842 |
| Place of death | Walton-on-Thames |