Margaret Oliphant - A Beleagured City: 'Laughing is not the first expression of joy''

The life of Margaret Oliphant Wilson is marked by both literary achievement and profound personal tragedy. After publishing her first novel in 1849, she married and had six children, but faced the heartbreak of losing three in infancy and later her husband to tuberculosis. Despite these challenges, she became a prolific writer to support her family. Her literary career spanned over thirty years, but continued family losses, including her remaining children, deeply affected her. She passed away at 69, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and dedication to her craft.