Author: MacDonald, Andrew
Biography:
MACDONALD, Andrew (1757-90: ODNB)
pseudonym Matthew Bramble
Born at Edinburgh, he was the son of George Donald, a Jacobite gardener, and his wife, Janet (Elliot). He attended the grammar school at Leith and, sponsored by Bishop Forbes of Ross and Caithness, the University of Edinburgh. In 1775 he took Deacon’s orders in the Scottish Episcopal church and changed his surname to Macdonald. After a year working as a tutor, he was appointed to the Episcopal church in Glasgow. Unfortunately, the congregation dwindled under his ministry—particularly after he married the maidservant at his lodging. His 1782 Velina was followed in 1783 by a novel, The Independent. When his tragedy, Vimonda, met with success in Edinburgh he moved first there and then to London. His poetical burlesques, published in the Morning Post as by Matthew Bramble, were popular but in general he struggled to make a living. He died of tuberculosis in Kentish Town, leaving his family destitute. A book of his sermons (1790) and his Miscellaneous Works (1791) were issued posthumously. Although Portraitures of Persons in Public and Private Life (1820) was issued under the pseudonym of Matthew Bramble, the BL catalogue identifies the author as Richard Dearman. (ODNB 4 Dec 2019)
Other Names:
- A. McDonald
- A[Ndrew] McDonald