Ewen MacLachlan (Gaelic: Eòghann MacLachlainn) (1775–1822) was a
Scottish
Scottish usually refers to something of, from, or related to Scotland, including:
*Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family native to Scotland
*Scottish English
*Scottish national identity, the Scottish ide ...
scholar and poet. He is noted for his translations of ancient
Classical literature
Classics, also classical studies or Ancient Greek and Roman studies, is the study of classical antiquity. In the Western world, ''classics'' traditionally refers to the study of Ancient Greek and Roman literature and their original languages, ...
into
Gaelic
Gaelic (pronounced for Irish Gaelic and for Scots Gaelic) is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". It may refer to:
Languages
* Gaelic languages or Goidelic languages, a linguistic group that is one of the two branches of the Insul ...
, for his own Gaelic verse, and for his contribution to Gaelic dictionaries.
MacLachlan is considered one of the most important figures in the preservation of Gaelic as a written language and
written literature.
Life
MacLachlan was born in
Lochaber
Lochaber ( ; ) is a name applied to a part of the Scottish Highlands. Historically, it was a provincial lordship consisting of the parishes of Kilmallie and Kilmonivaig. Lochaber once extended from the Northern shore of Loch Leven, a distric ...
, and educated at
Aberdeen University
The University of Aberdeen (abbreviated ''Aberd.'' in post-nominals; ) is a public research university in Aberdeen, Scotland. It was founded in 1495 when William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen and Chancellor of Scotland, petitioned Pope Al ...
. He was librarian to
University and Kings College, Aberdeen from 1800–1818, and headmaster of Aberdeen
grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries, originally a Latin school, school teaching Latin, but more recently an academically oriented Se ...
from 1810–1822. He translated the first eight books of
Homer
Homer (; , ; possibly born ) was an Ancient Greece, Ancient Greek poet who is credited as the author of the ''Iliad'' and the ''Odyssey'', two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Despite doubts about his autho ...
's ''
Iliad
The ''Iliad'' (; , ; ) is one of two major Ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. As with the ''Odyssey'', the poem is divided into 24 books and ...
'' into Gaelic. He also composed and published his own Gaelic ''Attempts in Verse'' (1807) and ''Metrical Effusions'' (1816), and contributed greatly to the 1828 Gaelic–English Dictionary.
Ionad Eòghainn MhicLachlainn (The National Centre for Gaelic Translation)
In 2021, Ionad Eòghainn MhicLachlainn (The National Centre for Gaelic Translation) was founded at the
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen (abbreviated ''Aberd.'' in List of post-nominal letters (United Kingdom), post-nominals; ) is a public university, public research university in Aberdeen, Scotland. It was founded in 1495 when William Elphinstone, Bis ...
, to promote and enhance translation out of and into Gaelic, and was named in MacLachlan's honour.
See also
*
Scottish Gaelic literature
Scottish Gaelic literature refers to literary works composed in the Scottish Gaelic language, which is, like Irish and Manx, a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. Gaelic literature was also composed in Gàidhealtachd communities ...
*
Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic (, ; Endonym and exonym, endonym: ), also known as Scots Gaelic or simply Gaelic, is a Celtic language native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a member of the Goidelic language, Goidelic branch of Celtic, Scottish Gaelic, alongs ...
References
*Anderson, Peter John. ''Ewen MacLachlan: Librarian to University and Kings College, Aberdeen, 1800-1818''. Aberdeen: University Press, 1918.
Notes
External links
*
Ewen MacLachlan's workson GoogleBooks
Ewen MacLachlanin ''Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia''
Ewen MacLachlanin ''The Poets and Poetry of Scotland''
Ewen MacLachlanin ''Sar-obair nam Bard Gaelach, or The Beauties of Gaelic Poetry and Lives of the Highland Bards'', edited by
John MackenzieIonad Eòghainn MhicLachlainn (The National Centre for Gaelic Translation)
1822 deaths
1775 births
19th-century Scottish translators
19th-century Scottish Gaelic poets
19th-century Scottish writers
Academics of the University of Aberdeen
Alumni of the University of Aberdeen
Scottish classical scholars
Scottish lexicographers
Scottish scholars and academics
Scottish book editors
Scottish Gaelic language
Translators of Homer
Translators to Scottish Gaelic
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