The Origin of M'Fingal

J. Hammond Trumbull

Published by The Historical Magazine, 1868

About this Item

Good, 8vo, 9" x 6 1/2." Brown wrappers. No spinal text. Covers chipped at the edges and browned, spine is chipped, else clean and intact. Small inscription in black ink on front cover with the date, "1868." Pages also chipped at edges but are clean and intact overall. Introductory Note: "The following paper, originally published in The Historical Magazine, for January, 1868, has been reproduced in this form for the use of the Author and his friends." 40 pp. Scholarly article about _M'Fingal_ (or, _McFingal_), a satirical epic poem written by John Trumbull (1750-1831). John was an American poet, lawyer, and Federalist who is perhaps best-known for this poem. M'Fingal is a mock epic written in four cantos. While the first canto was initially published in 1775, the poem was published with all four cantos for the first time in 1782. The poem is about the American Revolutionary War and features two characters, the titular McFingal, a Scottish Loyalist, and his Whig opponent, Honorius, who was modeled after John Adams. While the poem is patently pro-Whig, some historians believe its reputation as anti-Loyalist propaganda is overemphasized. Author James Hammond Trumbull (1821-1897) was an American historian and philologist who wrote several books about Connecticut history. He was a member of the Connecticut Historical Society and served as its president from 1863-1889. He was also elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1872. Seller Inventory # 00111

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Origin of M'Fingal

Publisher: The Historical Magazine

Publication Date: 1868

Binding: Softcover

Condition: Good

Dust Jacket Condition: none as issued