William Topaz McGonagall (1825 - September 29, 1902) was a weaver, poet, and actor. Born in Edinburgh, of Irish parentage, he was working as handloom weaver in Dundee when an event occurred that was to change his life. As he was later to write:
- The most startling incident in my life was the time I discovered myself to be a poet, which was in the year 1877.
- Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silv'ry Tay!
- Alas! I am very sorry to say
- That ninety lives have been taken away
- On the last Sabbath day of 1879,
- Which will be remember'd for a very long time.
The memory of McGonagall was resurrected by the Irish comedian Spike Milligan. A character called McGoonagall frequently appears in The Goon Show, alternately played by Milligan and Peter Sellers. Milligan also occasionally gave readings of McGonagall's verse.
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