George Waldron

George Waldron (1690 – c. 1730) was an English poet, and a topographer known particularly for his work on the Isle of Man. Sir Walter Scott made use of his topography in Peveril of the Peak.

Life

Waldron, born in 1690, was son of Francis Waldron of London, who was descended from a family of Essex. He appears to have received his early education at Felsted School, and on 7 May 1706 he matriculated at The Queen's College, Oxford. He resided in the Isle of Man, where he acted as commissioner from the British government to watch the trade of the island in the interests of the excise. He died in England before 1731, just after he had obtained a new deputation from the British government.

Works

Soon after Waldron's death his Compleat Works in Verse and Prose were "printed for the widow and orphans" in London, 1731. The dedication to William O'Brien, 4th Earl of Inchiquin, is signed by Theodosia Waldron. The first part contains "Miscellany Poems", and the second "Tracts, Political and Historical", including Waldron's principal work, "A Description of the Isle of Man". This work, written in 1726, was twice reprinted in London, then edited with an introductory notice and notes, by William Harrison for the Manx Society (vol. xi. Douglas, 1865). Sir Walter Scott in his novel Peveril of the Peak made heavy use of this work of Waldron's. Later writers on the Isle of Man gave his legends prominence.

Among his other works are:

• A Perswasive Oration to the People of Great Britain to stand up in defence of their Religion and Liberty, London, 1716
• A Speech made to the Loyal Society, at the Mug-House in Long-Acre; June the 7th, 1716. Being the Day for the Public Thanksgiving, for putting an end to that most unnatural Rebellion, London, 1716
• A Poem, humbly inscrib'd to … George, Prince of Wales, London, 1717
• The Regency and Return, a Poem humbly inscribed to … Lord Newport, son and heir to … Richard, Earl of Bradford [London, c. 1717]
• An Ode on the 28th of May, being the Anniversary of his Majesty's happy Nativity [London], 1723

References

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Waldron, George". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.