Speaker's Evening - Mr Charles Naysmith

William Topaz McGonagall, weaver, poet and tragedian, who has become known as the 'worst poet of all time' and 'Scotland's other national bard', was the topic at the Rotary Club of South Queensferry on 14th May. McGonagall enthusiast and artist  Charles Nasmyth's talk was illustrated by pages from his book The Comic Legend of William McGonagall, which depicted the poet's life in highly original drawings using imagery ranging from bawdy Scots humour and Irish legend to Romantic German painting. Though most may know of his connection with Dundee, Charles explained that McGonagall was born and died in Edinburgh. He lived in Orkney as a boy and visited America at the expense of the proprietor of a Dundee temperance hotel. Such insights on the poet's life and imagination made Charles's talk a particularly memorable one. Influences such as the monarchy and British imperial expansion are also reflected in McGonagall's life and work. He also voiced the opinion that McGonagall may have been well aware of the ridicule he attracted and regarded it with wry humour. Charles is a member of the McGonagall Society and is active in promoting McGonagall Suppers - meals eaten backwards, starting with the coffe and desert and finishing with the soup - which prove popular fundraisers for charitable organisations. If you are interested in the McGonagall Society or any other aspect of Charles Nasmyth's work, he can be contacted at mary@nasmyth.org.uk

In his vote of thanks, Graham Clarkson, an old friend of the speaker, complimented Charles on a most striking and amusing presentation.