Patrick McGill
- Born
- 1889-12-24 12:00:00
- Died
- 1963-11-22 12:00:00
- Gender
- Male
- Place of migration
- Stayed in Ireland
Patrick McGill was born in Glenties, County Donegal, on Christmas Eve, 1889. He received a very basic education, and began working at a young age, possibly before he was even 12. He travelled to Scotland in search of work and managed to pick up some labouring work here and there.
Patrick McGill
As a young man, McGill lied about his age to get a job on the Glasgow to Greenock Railway Line. He was a passionate reader and soon began to write poetry. Most of his work was based on his, and his colleagues' experiences as navvies, and so he earned the moniker, The Navvy Poet. He published his first book of poetry himself and sold it by travelling from door to door. He also submitted articles to the Daily Express, who eventually offered him a job as a Fleet Street journalist. The legend of the Navvy Poet grew as his life became more lavish. He published his second book of poetry from Windsor Castle where he was being accommodated at the time. His poetry became extremely famous and was well received in all walks of life.
Windsor Castle
McGill also distinguished himself as a military man. When World War I broke out, he enlisted with the London Irish Rifles. Though he was wounded in France, he went on to work with Military Intelligence until 1918. During this time he wrote a book entitled, 'Children of the Dead End' which would eventually be adapted for film.
London Irish Rifles
McGill married Margaret Gibbons (also a writer) in 1915 and the pair had three children together. The family emigrated to the U.S. in 1930. McGill died on the 22nd of November 1963, after suffering for many years with multiple sclerosis.
In 1981, a summer school was established in Patrick McGill's name in his native Glenties. The event celebrates his great achievements and beautiful poetry.
ALSO READ
