Concern voiced over state of famous writer's grave

This photograph shows the sorry state of the gravestone of one of Berwick's most famous writers.

It was sent to us by Roy Grout of West End Court, Tweedmouth, who wonders if someone would be able to restore it.

He said: "My friend, Agnes Patterson, and I recently visited Tweedmouth Churchyard and were sad to see how bad the gravestone of the late John Mackay Wilson had deteriorated. "It would be nice if there is someone out there who would be willing to restore the inscription. "After all, this is a man who became very well known, was born in Tweedmouth and is laid to rest there. "Perhaps a fund could be created which people could contribute to. It would be a shame if nothing is done."

Wilson, born in Tweedmouth in 1804, was an author and poet best known for his weekly publication 'Tales of The Borders'.

After completing his apprenticeship as a printer he lived in London for a time, followed by a period as an itinerant lecturer on literature. His first literary work seems to have been the poem 'A Glance at Hinduism' (1824).

Wilson spent some time in Edinburgh, where his plays included 'The Gowrie Conspiracy' (1829) and 'Margaret of Anjou'.

In 1832 he became editor of the Berwick Advertiser and then, on November 8, 1834, published his first 'Tales of the Borders'.

They quickly attained an extraordinary popularity both in Great Britain and in America.

Realistic narratives of simple sentiment and impressive situations, these stories made a direct appeal to the general reader, and the weekly circulation steadily rose from 2000 to 16,000-17,000.
Wilson published 48 numbers in all, comprising 73 tales until his untimely death at the age of just 31 on October 2, 1835 due to alcohol abuse.

The series was continued by his brother, James, and much prolonged by Alexander Leighton as editor.

A new edition by Leighton extended the collection to 20 volumes (1857-59) and his 1869 revision added four more volumes.


JOHN MACKAY WILSON (1804 - 1835)
Wilson was born in Tweedmouth. His first literary work seems to have been the poem 'A Glance at Hinduism' (1824). Wilson spent some time in Edinburgh, where his plays included The Gowrie Conspiracy (1829) and Margaret of Anjou. He returned to Berwick and became editor of the Berwick Advertiser in 1832. By then, however, he had become addicted to the bottle. He is buried in the crowded graveyard at Tweedmouth church.

The six volumes of his Tales of the Border (1834-40) had originally appeared in weekly parts and after Wilson's death they were continued for his widow, with Alexander Leighton as editor. A new edition by Leighton extended to 20 volumes (1857-59) and his 1869 revision added four more volumes.

See also
Lively debate of cemetery future
Graves flattened