CHRISTOPHER NORTH HOTEL
| Christopher North was the pen-name of John Wilson, Scottish essayist, poet, fiction writer and editor, who made his mark on early nineteenth century Edinburgh society by his flamboyant personality and his lively, if sometimes preposterous demeneor. Though he trained for the law and was called to the Bar, his real interest was literature. He was especially associated with Blackwood’s Magazine, founded with his help in 1817. In 1820 he was appointed Professor of Moral Philosophy at Edinburgh University, and although he was no philosopher, his eloquent and historic lectures on moral problems and human passions aroused the enthusiasm of fascinated audiences. He was a man of great physical strength and energy, and something of this energy combined with his own special brand of effusive sentimentality, spilled over into his writing. He was one of the great characters of Edinburgh in the age of Sir Walter Scott and Lord Cockburn. His statue, over the name of John Wilson, stands in Princess Street Gardens between the Scott Monument and the Royal Scottish Academy. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
