Author: Quillinan, Alfred
Biography:
QUILLINAN, Alfred (fl 1831-34?)
The two parts of Mischief were published anonymously by Moxon in London. In the preface to the second part, the author maintains that his only motive for withholding his name has been “doubt of success.” He strenuously denies plagiarism from or even imitation of Byron, despite the choice of ottava rima as the verse form. He expresses gratitude for the few reviews that appeared for the first part, and trusts that the second will demonstrate his virtuous intent in the story it tells of “Sin, Shame, Remorse, and Retribution.” The attribution to Alfred Quillinan was made by Halkett and Laing (HL) but no person of that name, even allowing for variants to “Alfred,” exists in the public records of the nineteenth century. Most probably “Alfred Quillinan” is a ghost. HJ
Other Names:
- A. Quillinan