Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Waldron, George
WALDRON, GEORGE (1690–1730?), topographer and poet, born in 1690, was son of Francis Waldron of London, who was descended from an ancient family in Essex. He appears to have received his early education at Felsted school, and on 7 May 1706 he was matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford. He resided in the Isle of Man, where he acted as commissioner from the British government to watch the trade of the island in the interests of the excise. He died in England prior to 1731, just after he had obtained a new deputation from the British government.
Soon after his death his 'Compleat Works in Verse and Prose' were 'printed for the widow and orphans,' London, 1731, fol. The dedication to William O'Brien, earl of Inchiquin, is signed by Theodosia Waldron. The first contains 'Miscellany Poems,' and the second part consists of 'Tracts, Political and Historical,' including Waldron's principal work, 'A Description of the Isle of Man.' This work, written in 1726, was reprinted at London, 1744, 12mo; another edition appeared in 1780; and it was edited, with an introductory notice and notes by William Harrison (1802–1884) [q. v.], for the publications of the Manx Society (vol. xi. Douglas, 1865, 8vo). Sir Walter Scott while writing 'Peveril of the Peak' made large use of this work, and transferred long extracts from it to his notes to that romance. Waldron's production he characterised as 'a huge mine, in which I have attempted to discover some specimens of spar, if I cannot find treasure.' Most of the writers on the Isle of Man have given Waldron's legends a prominent place in their works.
Among his other works are:
- 'A Perswasive Oration to the People of Great Britain to stand up in defence of their Religion and Liberty,' London, 1716, 8vo.
- 'A Speech made to the Loyal Society, at the Mug-House in Long-Acre; June the 7th, 1716. Being the Day for the Public Thanksgiving, for putting an end to that most unnatural Rebellion,' London, 1716, 4to.
- 'A Poem, humbly inscrib'd to … George, Prince of Wales,' London, 1717, fol.
- 'The Regency and Return, a Poem humbly inscribed to … Lord Newport, son and heir to … Richard, Earl of Bradford' [London, 1717?], fol.
- 'An Ode on the 28th of May, being the Anniversary of his Majesty's happy Nativity' [London], 1723, 8vo.
[Harrison's Bibl. Monensis (1876), pp. 24, 28, 48, 219; Notes and Queries, 3rd ser. vi. 348; Foster's Alumni Oxon. 1500–1714.]