James Macpherson (1) (1736–1796)

The authenticity of Macpherson’s collection was already controversially judged, when it came, translated in several European languages, to the continent. The author was said having written the poems himself instead collecting and translating them from ancient Gaelic sources. Nevertheless, the work was highly appreciated in the German Romanticism and had immense influence to writers as Ludwig Tieck or Clemens von Brentano.

OK, it's not the greatest work in world literature, but it is great, and it did kick off the romantic revolution, inspiring Blake, Goethe, and who cares who else (everyone in that European period). a beautifully poetic retelling of highland scottish epic lore in the guise of translating ancient manuscripts that did not exist.

Among the 2 or 3 best works of fantasy I've ever read. Even if it was a literary hoax, the writing is stunningly evocative, yet very terse.

"These peices have been, and will I think during my life continue to be to me, the source of daily and exalted pleasures. The tender, and the sublime emotions of the mind were never before so finely wrought up by human hand. I am not ashamed to own that I think this rude bard of the North the greatest Poet that has ever existed. Merely for the pleasure of reading his works I am become desirous of learning the language in which he sung and of possessing his songs in their original form." — show more Thomas Jefferson to Charles McPherson, February 25, 1773 [PTJ 1:96-97] show less