George MacDonald eBooks
George MacDonald was a Scottish poet, best known for his children’s and fantasy writing. A Christian minister, he was also known for his unorthodox theology.
MacDonald was born in Aberdeenshire in 1824. The son of a farmer, he was raised in the Calvinist faith, though he would later express a dislike in its concept of predetermination. This feeling would show in his writing, especially his 1895 novel, Lilith, as well as in his doctrinal writings.
In 1850, having studied for the ministry in Aberdeen and London, he became a pastor. His sermons were often unconventional and he moved around to a number of churches before settling in London.
During this time, MacDonald began his writing career, publishing a book of poetry, Within and Without, in 1855. Though his fantasy books were popular, he still often required financial assistance from his friends. As a writer, he became a mentor for other writers of the era. He was especially close with Lewis Carroll and C.S. Lewis, whose writing frequently conveys MacDonald’s religious doctrines. His influence is also seen in the writing of J.R.R. Tolkien and Madeleine L’Engle.
MacDonald toured America in the 1870s, where he became friends with Mark Twain and Walt Whitman, among others. He also toured Algiers, but was forced to return to England due to ill health. He died in 1905, having written numerous volumes of poetry and stories. His books remained popular well after his death, with new versions being regularly published.
