Recollections of Thomas Carlyle

Recollections of Thomas Carlyle

This piece was published in the same issue which Margaret Oliphant's The Library Window was originally published. The pieces are featured in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine January 1896 issue. I find it interesting that this piece written about Oliphant's Scottish contemporary was placed right after her piece, which was the first story to be featured in this issue. The piece about Carlyle being second. I think considering the time, it may have been radical to feature a woman author as the first story in a magazine, and so to balance that out, they found it appropriate to place a piece about a fellow Scottish author, who happened to be a man right after Oliphant's piece. However, this piece was written about a woman who admired Carlyle and this is her recollection of having met him in 1865. Also, this piece honoring Carlyle, comes 15 years after his death. The author, whose name is not mentioned, reports that she was overwhelmed with nerves as Carlyle was her literary hero. While having tea, they discussed a great many things, including Margaret Oliphant's life. It seems that a first hand report of great Scottish male writer, Thomas Carlyle, approving and discussing Margaret Oliphant, helps remove the stigma that may have surrounded one's thoughts upon seeing a story written by a woman being the opening piece for the January issue.

unknown

Hathitrust

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine

January 1889

University of California

7 pages

Magazine