Digital Victorian Periodical Poetry

Poet, literary critic, biographer, and scholar of the classics. Alternative signature: J. W. Mackail. Born in the Isle of Bute, Scotland. Son of Rev. John Mackail, a former minister, and Louisa Irving. Educated at Ayr Academy and later Edinburgh University, where he developed a friendship with Sir George Macdonald. His academic journey continued at Balliol College, Oxford, where he received the Newdigate Prize for poetry. Married Margaret Burne-Jones, daughter of painter, Edward Burne-Jones, in 1888. Joined the British government’s Board of Education in 1884, rose to assistant secretary and helped establish secondary education standards under the 1902 Education Act. Prolific translator and scholar of classical poetry and Latin literature, particularly Virgil and Greek poetry. His translations include Eclogues and Georgics (1889) and Select Epigrams from the Greek Anthology (1890). He also published multiple biographies including Life of William Morris (1899) and The Life and Letters of George Wyndham (1925). Biographical information: ODNB. (NM)