author
William Allingham
1824–1889
An Irish poet, editor, and diarist remembered for musical lyric verse, he wrote the much-loved poem "The Faeries" and later left behind vivid diary accounts of Victorian literary life. His work blends folklore, feeling, and sharp observation in a way that still feels fresh.
2 Audiobooks
Sixteen Poems
by William Allingham
Rhymes for the Young Folk
by William Allingham
About the author
Born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, on March 19, 1824, William Allingham became known as an Irish poet, diarist, and editor. He spent part of his working life in the customs service before turning more fully toward literature, and his writing often drew on Irish landscape, folklore, and everyday feeling.
Allingham published several books of verse, and his poem "The Faeries" became especially well known. He also served as editor of Fraser's Magazine, placing him close to the literary world of his time and to many major Victorian writers.
Today, he is remembered not only for his poems but also for his posthumously published diary, which preserves lively impressions of the people and culture around him. He died on November 18, 1889, leaving behind work valued for its clarity, charm, and quiet emotional power.