George MacDonald: A Bicentennial Tribute to a Literary Master
This year, we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of George MacDonald, the gifted Scottish author whose influential stories and narratives on faith left an indelible mark on renowned authors such as JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. MacDonald, born in 1824 in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, was drawn to the complexities of nature and science during his upbringing in the rural Scottish countryside.
A Move from Chemistry to Ministry
MacDonald initially intended to pursue a career in chemistry, but financial barriers redirected his path towards the church in England. However, after some time, he found himself embroiled in philosophical disagreements that led to his resignation from the ministry.
MacDonald’s Budding Literary Career and Noteworthy Connections
MacDonald embarked on his literary voyage with support from respected personalities of his time, such as Anne Milbanke, the wife of the renowned poet Lord George Gordon Byron. He was also associated with other eminent literary figures such as Lewis Carroll and Mark Twain. One of MacDonald’s most notable contributions to children’s literature was ‘The Princess and the Goblin.’ This fairy tale, although later criticized for its moralistic tone, was still a source of awe and inspiration for a young JRR Tolkien.
The ‘Spiritual Master’ of CS Lewis
CS Lewis, another giant of English literature, held MacDonald in the highest regard. He considered MacDonald his ‘spiritual master,’ contributing significantly to the development of Lewis’s work. MacDonald’s innovative narratives and exploration of morality and Christianity through fantasy profoundly shaped Lewis’s thinking and writing.
MacDonald’s Legacy
Despite the significant influence of MacDonald on literature and the genre of fantasy, his name is not as recognized as it deserves to be today. However, the endurance of his legacy is witnessed in his preserved manuscripts and personal items. For instance, Aberdeenshire Museums Service carefully maintains a sequin knight’s costume once used in MacDonald’s family theatricals, symbolizing his use of fantasy as a tool to grapple with moral conundrums and Christian ideals.
