Malcolm, John


Biographical Information


John Malcolm of Polltach, born in Argyllshire (1805), whose collection of renaissance art is on display in the British Museum did not write Scenes of War and Other Poems. Neither did the renowned historian, diplomat, and soldier, Sir John Malcolm, who published seven books and at least one poem all relating to Persia and India. Unfortunately, John Malcolm, the minor poet with whom we are concerned, seems largely forgotten. The passage of 170 years combined with the relatively greater fame of two contemporary John Malcolms has made reconstructing our John Malcolm's life almost impossible. From his words, we can see that Malcolm lived, loved, and lost-when it comes to poets, anything else is really just footnotes anyway. Regardless, a few facts have been pieced together from reviews of his first book and his poetry.

Reviews in European Magazine and The Literary Chronicle both mention that Malcolm had exchanged his sword for a pen upon retirement from the 42nd Regiment. Commonly known as the Black Watch, the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment of Foot had served continuously through the Peninsular Wars to the battle of Waterloo. They fought with distinction and endured many hardships, including being the only regiment to wear kilts in battle. Malcolm's poetry reflects his service, recounting the Pyrenees (1813), Paris (1815?), and the return to Edinburgh (January of 1816?). European Magazine noted that his rank was unknown; however, he was most likely Lieutenant John Malcolm who was wounded at Toulouse (Scottish Regiments, par. 72).

Though it has been shown to be problematic to link any particular John Malcolm with the author of Scenes (no Scottish brick is thrown without hitting one it would seem), it is improbable that two John Malcolms served in the Black Watch at the same time. Likewise, the published memoirs of the John Malcolm injured at Toulouse further solidifies the link. The journal betrays a love of poetry and the same observant, tender nature and prose style as seen in Scenes.

According to these memoirs, Malcolm joined the 42nd Regiment shortly after the battle of Vittoria in 1813, fought in Spain and France until being injured and captured at Toulouse. Treated amicably by the French, he was returned to Portsmouth fourteen months after having left from that port for the war. At this point, the memoirs published in Constable's Miscellany end. Based upon the poem "Written on Leaving Paris" (Scenes 137-141), in which Malcolm condemns Napoleon, we may assume Malcolm rejoined the Black Watch for the occupation of Paris and presumably would have continued with them through Waterloo, the re-occupation of Paris, and their triumphal return to Edinburgh (see "The Return" in Scenes 127-130).

It was not until eight years later (1824) that Malcolm's first book of poetry, The Buccaneer and Other Poems, was published. Though The Literary Chronicle attributed to Malcolm "no ordinary portion of genius," most other reviewers were more qualified in their acclaim. European Magazine said he was well versed in form, but Malcolm did not trust his own creativity enough, choosing instead to lean on classical forms and allusions. New Monthly Magazine echoed this sentiment, saying, "The poetry, it is true, is not of the first order, but there are portions of it which possess very pleasing character . . . though it has not a single new image, (it) cannot fail to interest the reader by its tenderness of feeling and ease of versification."

The Buccaneer was followed by Scenes in 1828 and Tales of Field and Flood: with Sketches of Life at Home in 1829. Selected poems were also printed in compilations and annuals:

Forget Me Not (1823-47, 56)
"The Waters of Oblivion," (1830) 204
"The March," (1831) 277

Friendship's Offering (1824-44)
"The Spirit's Land," (1829) 187
"Evening Hours," (1831) 34
"Remorse," (1831) 181

Literary Souvenir (1825-35)
"The North-Wester," (1826) 97
"The Return, written on revisiting Edinburgh," (1827) 93
"Written in a Lady's Album," (1827) 192
"Solitude," (1827) 323
"The Shadow," (1828) 65
"Love," (1828) 96
"The Vesper Bell," (1828) 133
"The First Land," (1828) 215
"Night," (1829) 67
"The Ship at Sea," (1829) 128
"The Mariner's Grave," (1829) 327

Amulet (1826-36)
"The Parted Spirit," (1831) 143
"The Palm Tree," (1833) 234

Pledge of Friendship (1826-28)
"The Days of Other Years," (1828) 188

Gem (1829-32)
"The Halt on the March," (1830) 133
"Stanzas," (1831) 214 (Boyle 185).

Some of these poems, including "The North-Wester" and "The Return," were reprinted in Scenes, as Malcolm's introduction indicates (see Appendix B).

In addition to his poetry, Malcolm also published the aforementioned memoirs in 1831. Then Malcolm's pen seems to have gone silent; however, one more book was published posthumously. In 1999, Ken Trotman edited and published Malcolm's diary from 1814 (see Mackinnon & Malcolm).

Despite this recent resuscitation of Malcolm the soldier, the review of The Buccaneers in Ladies' Monthly Museum seems prophetic, "These pieces are not without merit, and they will doubtless be perused with pleasure by the friends of the author, but it is not probable that they will excite a permanent interest beyond that limited circle." John Malcolm the poet has proved, so far, to be of little permanent interest to the world.


Prepared by Scott Cushman, University of Nebraska, December 2004.
© Scott Cushman, 2004.