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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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William MacGonagall
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(1830–1902) Dundee weaver who recited his own doggerel in public houses and who acquired wide posthumous fame after his verses (published by himself as Poetic Gems in 1890) were reissued in the 1950s and ran through many impressions. They proved him a strong contender for the title of the world's worst published poet. The lines most often quoted in support of this claim are his response to the *Tay Bridge disaster of 1879: 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.
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