MACKAY

mackay, charles (1814-1889), scottish writer, was born at perth, on the 27th of march 1814, and educated at the caledonian asylum, london, and in brussels. in 1830, being then private secretary to a belgian ironmaster, he began writing verses and articles for local newspapers. returning to london, he devoted himself to literary and journalistic work, and was attached to the _morning chronicle_ (1835-1844). he published _memoirs of extraordinary public delusions_ (1841), and gradually made himself known as an industrious and prolific journalist. in 1844 he was made editor of the glasgow _argus_. his literary reputation was made by the publication in 1846 of a volume of verses. _voices from the crowd_, some of which were set to music by henry russell and became very popular. in 1848 mackay returned to london and worked for the _illustrated london news_, of which he became editor in 1852. in it he published a number of songs, set to music by sir henry bishop and henry russell, and in 1855 they were collected in a volume; they included the popular "cheer, boys! cheer!" after his severance from the _illustrated london news_, in 1859, mackay started two unsuccessful periodicals, and acted as special correspondent for _the times_ in america during the civil war. he edited _a thousand and one gems of english poetry_ (1867). mackay died in london on the 24th of december 1889. marie corelli (q.v.) was his adopted daughter. his son, eric mackay (1851-1899), was known as a writer of verse, particularly by his _love letters of a violinist_ (1886).