George Waldron


George Waldron was an English poet, and a topographer known particularly for his work on the Isle of Man. Sir Walter Scott made use of his topography in Peveril of the Peak.

Life

Waldron, born in 1690, was son of Francis Waldron of London, who was descended from a family of Essex. He appears to have received his early education at Felsted School, and on 7 May 1706 he matriculated at The Queen's College, Oxford. He resided in the Isle of Man, where he acted as commissioner from the British government to watch the trade of the island in the interests of the excise. He died in England before 1731, just after he had obtained a new deputation from the British government.

Works

Soon after Waldron's death his Compleat Works in Verse and Prose were "printed for the widow and orphans" in London, 1731. The dedication to William O'Brien, 4th Earl of Inchiquin, is signed by Theodosia Waldron. The first part contains "Miscellany Poems", and the second "Tracts, Political and Historical", including Waldron's principal work, "A Description of the Isle of Man". This work, written in 1726, was twice reprinted in London, then edited with an introductory notice and notes, by William Harrison for the Manx Society. Sir Walter Scott in his novel Peveril of the Peak made heavy use of this work of Waldron's. Later writers on the Isle of Man gave his legends prominence.
Among his other works are: