Men of the Time, eleventh edition/Buchanan, Robert
BUCHANAN, Robert, poet, born Aug. 18, 1841, was educated at the High School and the University of Glasgow. His first work, "Undertones," appeared in 1860, and was followed by "Idyls and Legends of Inverburn" in 1865, and "London Poems" in 1866. Mr. Buchanan edited "Wayside Posies," and translated the Danish Ballads in 1866. His later works are "North Coast Poems," 1867; "Napoleon Fallen: a Lyrical Drama," 1871; "The Land of Lorne; including the cruise of the Tern to the outer Hebrides," 1871; "The Drama of Kings," 1871; "The Fleshly School of Poetry," an attack on the poems of Mr. D. G. Rossetti and Mr. Swinburne, 1872; and "Master Spirits," 1873. Many years ago, his tragedy of "The Witchfinder" was brought out at Sadler's Wells Theatre; and a comedy by him, in three acts, entitled "A Madcap Prince," was acted at the Haymarket in Aug., 1874. He has also contributed to the stage "A Nine Days' Queen," in which his sister-in-law, Miss Harriett Jay, the novelist, first appeared as an actress; and dramatic versions of "The Queen of Connaught" and "Paul Clifford." At the commencement of 1869, Mr. Buchanan gave in the Hanover Square Rooms a series of "Readings" of selections from his own poetical works. A collected edition of his poems was published in 3 vols., 1874. In 1876, Mr. Buchanan published his first novel, "The Shadow of the Sword," which has been since followed by "A Child of Nature," 1879; "God and the Man," 1881; and "The Martyrdom of Madeline," a novel, 1882. A new volume of poems, entitled "Ballads of Life, Love, and Humour," and a "Selection" from his various poems, were issued simultaneously in 1882. His novel, "Love me for ever," appeared in 1883, and his comedy, "Lady Clare," was brought out at the Globe Theatre on April 12th in the same year. Mr. Buchanan has been for many years closely connected with the Contemporary Review, in which publication many of his poems and essays have first appeared.