The Life of George Borrow

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

3481

Title

The Life of George Borrow

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This biography chronicles the extraordinary life of George Borrow, tracing his journey from a rebellious Cornish farmhand to a celebrated military officer and renowned literary figure. Through unpublished official documents and correspondence, the text reveals his transformation from an unsaleable hack-writer into a celebrated missionary and translator. The narrative captures Borrow's eccentric character, his deep love for the open air, and his significant contributions to literature and philology.

Summary up to 500 words

Compiled from unpublished official documents, letters, and correspondence, Herbert George Jenkins' volume details the remarkable life of George Borrow, a man who defied social expectations to become a figure of diplomatic significance and literary importance. Born Thomas Borrow in 1758 in Cornwall, he began as a farmhand before joining the Coldstream Guards, where he served for fourteen years. His military service concluded with a commission, marking the start of his literary career. He married Ann Perfrement and moved with the militia before eventually settling in Suffolk. The book highlights his poignant return to his Cornish roots in 1853, where he reunited with his extended family, revealing a man of deep emotion and eccentricity. Borrow was renowned for his vast knowledge of languages, his translations of Celtic and Scandinavian bards, and his passionate advocacy for the Gypsy people. The text explores his early life, military exploits, and the development of his unique personality, which blended the roughness of a soldier with the sensitivity of a poet. Jenkins utilizes newly discovered records, including a lengthy letter from Borrow regarding his imprisonment in Seville, to provide a comprehensive record of a man who achieved greatness through missionary work and works like 'The Bible in Spain' and 'Wild Wales'. The narrative captures Borrow's transformation from an unknown hack-writer to a celebrated figure, emphasizing his seven happiest years spent in Russia, Portugal, and Spain with the British and Foreign Bible Society. Jenkins portrays Borrow as a man of tireless energy and diplomatic resourcefulness, whose life story serves as an indelible mark on English literature.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• English Literature