"The Suicide", Poem Copied from the Aberdeen Weekly Journal, Early Paper Ephemera
Associated
James McBey
(Newburgh, Scotland, 1883 - 1959)
AssociatedAssociated with
Ann Gillespie
(died 1906)
Date1927
Object NamePoem
Mediumpaper
ClassificationsMcBey
Dimensions25.5 x 20.7cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1988 by Mrs Marguerite McBey.
Copyright© Aberdeen City Council (McBey Collection)
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG009088.5
Keywords
A fragment of the poem is found in James McBey's autobiography. Shortly after the suicide of his mother on 11 December 1906, McBey discovered that inside her locket was a "small folded scrap of newsprint" with the following:
"'The Suicide'
No one will weep or sigh that I had gone. One half the uncaring world will sleep, the other struggle on"
The full poem was perhaps re-publishing in a later edition of the Aberdeen Weekly Journal.
This object is part of an archive that belonged to Marguerite McBey. As a result of her generosity, Aberdeen Art Gallery holds the largest archive of James McBey's work, including prints, drawings, sketchbooks, oil paintings and memorabilia such as this poem.
Robert Burns
Late 19th - early 20th century
Lord Byron