author
active 1852-1870 William Duthie
A mid-19th-century English goldsmith turned writer, he brought a craftsman’s eye and a traveler’s curiosity to his prose and poetry. His best-known work follows his wanderings through Germany and France, blending personal adventure with sharp social observation.
1 Audiobook
A Tramp's Wallet stored by an English goldsmith during his wanderings in Germany and France
by active 1852-1870 William Duthie
About the author
William Duthie was an English goldsmith and author who was active around 1852 to 1870. He wrote both prose and poetry, and is best remembered for A Tramp’s Wallet, a travel narrative drawn from his experiences as a journeyman goldsmith.
That book traces his travels through Germany and France and stands out for its lively, observant style. It was dedicated, by permission, to Charles Dickens, a detail that hints at Duthie’s literary connections as well as the appeal his writing had in his own time.
Not much biographical detail about his life seems to be firmly documented in the sources available here, but his work still offers a vivid window into working life, travel, and everyday society in mid-19th-century Europe.