March 10, 1810

Scholar and poet Sir Samuel Ferguson was born in Belfast on this day in 1810. Due to his interest in Irish legends and mythology, he is believed to be a forerunner of William Butler Yeats and the Irish Literary Revival in general. Ferguson studied law at Trinity University, where he supported by contributing to Blackwood’s Magazine, and by later writing for Dublin University Magazine. In addition to his writing, Ferguson practiced law as a barrister and was a respected antiquarian. He retired from the bar to become Deputy Keeper of the Public Records in Ireland, and in 1882, was elected President of the Royal Irish Academy. Many of Ferguson’s poems were written with both Irish and English translations.