Margaret Oliphant - Sir Tom: 'One only says it is one's duty when one has something disagreeable to do''

The life of Margaret Oliphant Wilson is marked by both literary achievement and personal tragedy. She began her writing career in her teens, gaining recognition with her first novel and contributions to prominent magazines. After marrying and having six children, she faced immense loss as three infants died, and her husband succumbed to tuberculosis. Despite these hardships, she relied on her writing to support her remaining children. Over three decades, she produced a prolific body of work, but continued family tragedies led to a decline in her health and spirit until her death at 69.