This story, unlike many others, is an entertaining and humorous tale that demonstrates how being different, even in ways that might not seem positive at first, can still earn a person a place in history.
It’s the story of William McGonagall, a Scotsman from Dundee, who, despite having little to no command over the finer aspects of poetry, rose to fame, or even infamy, as the worst poet in British history.
McGonagall’s claim to fame was not because of the beauty of his verses, nor for the elegance of his metaphors, but precisely because his poetry was so remarkably bad.
Over 25 years, McGonagall produced more than 200 poems, all marked by the same glaring deficiencies that delighted some and dismayed others. Yet, through sheer determination and an unshakable belief in his own poetic talent, he managed to carve himself a place in literary history.
The story of William McGonagall illustrates how, through resilience and self-confidence, even failure can be turned into success.
So, what was the problem with McGonagall’s poetry and what was the problem of his verses that meant so many thought they were so bad?
Basically, McGonagall had an almost obsessive belief that all poetry had to rhyme. While rhyme can certainly be a powerful tool in poetry, it is far from the only constituent part that actually makes a poem work.
You see, McGonagall, paid no attention to the other, equally crucial elements, such as rhythm, meter, or structure. His poems didn’t scan properly, which meant that they had an irregular and awkward flow. He was also totally unaware of more sophisticated literary techniques, such as the use of metaphor or symbolism. As a result, his poetry often came across as clumsy and simplistic, with lines that sounded strained and uncomfortable.
Despite this McGonagall took great pride in his work. What others found laughable, he regarded as serious art. His poems, with their forced rhymes and awkward phrasing, often struck readers as unintentionally comical.
For instance, in one of his most famous works, “The Tay Bridge Disaster,” he recounts the tragic collapse of the Tay Bridge in a tone so stilted and mismatched to the gravity of the event that the poem seems almost absurd:
“Beautiful railway bridge of the silv’ry Tay!
Alas! I am very sorry to say
That ninety lives have been taken away
On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
Which will be remember’d for a very long time.”
The poem’s tragic subject matter is undermined by the overly simplistic language and the clumsy, singsong rhythm. This dissonance between form and content became McGonagall’s signature style, and while literary critics cringed, audiences really loved it and were entertained.
His work may not have moved people in the way that great poetry often does, but he did get a response, it was one of laughter and disbelief.
In many ways, McGonagall’s could be described as an unintentional genius. You see that even though he never set out to be a comic figure, his lack of awareness of his own shortcomings turned him into one. It was amazing as the result was that audiences flocked to his readings not because they admired his work, but because they found it so amusing.
His poetry readings became events in themselves, as people would gather to hear him deliver his verses in his own overly dramatic style. His sheer earnestness, combined with the poor quality of his poetry, created a bizarre but compelling spectacle. People were eager to hear the poet whose work was so bad that it became a form of entertainment.
Despite the ridicule, McGonagall never seemed to understand that people were laughing at him rather than with him. He felt his packed audiences were a sign of his success, he believed that the crowds who came to see him were there because they genuinely appreciated his talent. In fact, many came to his readings assuming it was a comedy show. He wasn’t seen as a serious poet but, more, as a music hall performer, someone whose work was so bad it was funny.
Still, McGonagall remained convinced of his own greatness, a testament to the power of self-delusion—and perhaps the key to his peculiar brand of success.
But McGonagall’s fame was not without its challenges.
His audiences may have laughed and applauded, but they were also known to express their disapproval in more direct, physical ways. On more than one occasion, McGonagall was pelted with rotten vegetables or even fish during his readings. In fact, it was this outrage, or perhaps the amusement, that some local authorities actually banned him from performing in their towns. Rather than diminish his popularity, these bans, as they always do, only served to boost his mystique. As is inevitably the case with controversial figures, the more McGonagall was forbidden, the more people wanted to see him. His notoriety grew, and in true paradoxical fashion, he profited from being banned. He is not the first or will be the last person to benefit from being banned.
Yet, despite his notoriety, McGonagall always sought validation from the establishment.
He longed for recognition from high places, and in a stroke of bizarre but cunning genius, he set his sights on none other than Queen Victoria. McGonagall wrote a letter to the Queen, seeking her endorsement. He believed that with royal approval, he could finally silence his critics and prove his worth as a poet. As is usual the Queen’s staff sent him a polite letter of rejection, thanking him for his interest but declining to offer any official recognition.
However, McGonagall, ever the optimist, chose to interpret the letter as a form of praise. He focused on the fact that the letter mentioned the Queen’s gratitude for his interest, and he promptly began using this as evidence that he had royal approval. It was a masterclass in self-deception, but also in self-promotion. Even though the Queen had never praised his poetry, McGonagall found a way to turn the situation to his advantage!
Despite his obsession with poetry, McGonagall had other interests as well. One of his more serious campaigns was that against excessive drinking. McGonagall, a teetotaller, was deeply concerned about the social problems caused by alcohol. In an era when drinking was a common pastime, McGonagall stood out for his fierce opposition to it. He would even go so far as to recite his anti-drinking poems in pubs and bars, much to the annoyance of the patrons and the landlords. Unsurprisingly, his anti-alcohol stance did not endear him to the pub-going public, but they continued to find amusement in his unintentional comedy.
Unfortunately, for all his efforts, McGonagall’s career as a poet did not bring him wealth or security.
He spent much of his life in poverty, generating a modest income from selling printed copies of his poems on the streets and at his readings. He self-published several books of his poetry, but they never achieved commercial success. This meant that by the time of his death in 1902, McGonagall was penniless, having spent his life pursuing a dream that brought him neither critical acclaim nor financial reward.
The ironic twist is that McGonagall’s legacy has endured, even though he died a pauper, his poems live on.
Today, you can still buy McGonagall’s work, it is still in print, which means that his unique place in literary history is secure. On line you can easily buy collections of his poetry, which has to be some kind of testament to the enduring appeal of his work. It may not be great literature, but as a curious product of human ambition and folly. In a strange way, McGonagall achieved a form of immortality that many more talented poets could only dream of. His poems may be bad, but they are memorable, and in the world of art, as a friend once told me, sometimes that’s enough.
The story of William McGonagall shows that success does not always follow the expected path. While most artists strive for mastery of their craft, McGonagall found fame precisely because he lacked it. His unwavering belief in himself, combined with his complete disregard for the conventions of poetry, created something that, while not artistically valuable, was undeniably unique. He may not have been a great poet, but he was a great character, and in the end, it is often characters who make the biggest impact.
In conclusion, William McGonagall’s life and work stand as a testament to the power of individuality and perseverance. He was not afraid to be different, and while his poetry may not have won him critical acclaim, it made him a legend. His story is one of resilience, self-belief, and the unexpected ways in which a person can leave their mark on the world. While McGonagall never achieved the kind of success he dreamed of, he succeeded in becoming a part of history, a legacy that many more “serious” poets have failed to achieve.
His life demonstrates to all of us that sometimes, being different is all it takes to be remembered and to have a place in history.
Isn’t history fun?
Here are 10 thought-provoking questions:
- What factors contributed to William McGonagall’s rise to fame despite his lack of poetic skill?
- Why did McGonagall’s poetry, characterized by awkward flow and forced rhymes, still manage to entertain audiences?
- In what ways did McGonagall’s belief in his own talent reflect both self-confidence and self-delusion?
- How did McGonagall’s anti-drinking campaign reflect his personal values, and why do you think it clashed with his audience’s preferences?
- Why did McGonagall continue to perform and publish his poems despite being ridiculed by critics and audiences alike?
- How did McGonagall’s persistence in seeking royal approval highlight his need for validation from the establishment?
- What does McGonagall’s story tell us about the nature of fame and how it can be achieved in unexpected ways?
- Why do you think McGonagall’s poetry remains in print today, and what is the enduring appeal of his work?
- In what ways could McGonagall’s career be seen as a form of performance art, rather than just bad poetry?
- What lessons can be learned from McGonagall’s life about the role of individuality and perseverance in achieving success or leaving a legacy?
For more about him:
https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poet/william-mcgonagall/
https://mypoeticside.com/poets/william-topaz-mcgonagall-poems
https://poets.org/poem/tay-bridge-disaster
© Tony Dalton