Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Pringle, Thomas

PRINGLE, THOMAS, an English poet; born in Blaiklaw, Roxburghshire, Jan. 5, 1789. Lame from childhood, dyspeptic, devout, he went at 17 to Edinburgh University. He took to writing at an early age, and besides other literary schemes, started the “Edinburgh Monthly Magazine.” In 1820 he set sail with a party of emigrants of his father's family for Cape Colony. He traveled into the interior with the party, and had his heart stirred within him to see the inhumanity practiced toward the natives by English and Dutch residents alike. He started the “South African Journal,” and fought a brave fight for the freedom of the press. But he was bullied by the tyrannical governor, Lord Charles Somerset, his schemes crushed, and himself reduced to poverty. He returned to London in 1826, and became secretary of the Anti-Slavery Society. His “Ephemerides” (1828) was a collection of graceful verse. He died in London, Dec. 5, 1834.