Alexander Leighton (writer)

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Alexander Leighton (1800–1874) was a Scottish writer, known as the editor of Tales of the Borders.

Life[]

Born at Dundee, he studied at the Dundee Academy, and then took up medicine at the University of Edinburgh. He worked as a lawyer's clerk in Edinburgh, and then as a man of letters. He also worked as a book editor, and probably as a ghostwriter.[1]

Leighton died on 24 December 1874.[1]

Works[]

The Tales of the Borders, a popular short story serial, was begun at Berwick-on-Tweed in 1834 by John Mackay Wilson, who died the following year. His brother continued the work for a time. Shortly afterwards an Edinburgh publisher, John Sutherland, became proprietor, and Leighton was appointed editor and chief story writer; the series was completed in 1840. In 1857 Leighton re-edited the complete Tales of the Borders, and it was reissued in 1863–4, 1869 (with additions), and in 1888. He received assistance from Hugh Miller and , and contributions from others such as Alexander Bethune and his brother John, and .[1][2][3]

In 1860–1 Leighton published two series of Curious Storied Traditions of Scottish Life, in 1864 Mysterious Legends of Edinburgh, in 1865 Shellburn, a novel, and in 1867 Romance of the Old Town of Edinburgh. Other works were Men and Women of History, Jephthah's Daughter, A Dictionary of Religions, and a Latin metrical version of Robert Burns's songs.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Lee, Sidney, ed. (1893). "Leighton, Alexander (1800-1874)" . Dictionary of National Biography. 33. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
  2. ^ Basu, Sayoni. "Bethune, Alexander". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/2306. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  3. ^ Woolrich, A. P. "Howell, John". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/13976. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.) 
Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Lee, Sidney, ed. (1893). "Leighton, Alexander (1800-1874)". Dictionary of National Biography. 33. London: Smith, Elder & Co.

External links[]

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