Who is Margaret J. Preston

Margaret Junkin Preston (May 19, 1820 – March 28, 1897) was an American poet and author.

Biography

She was born in Milton, Pennsylvania, in 1820. Her father was George Junkin, a Presbyterian minister and college president. She learned Latin and Ancient Greek at the age of twelve. She married Major John Thomas Lewis Preston in 1857, a professor of Latin at Virginia Military Institute. Her sister, Elinor (Ellie), had in 1853 married Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, a colleague of Preston's at VMI. Major Preston served on the staff of Stonewall Jackson during the Civil War.She wrote many volumes of prose and poetry, and published some of her writing in the Southern Literary Messenger and Graham's Magazine. She also published a few articles in Harper's Magazine. Preston's...
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Margaret J. Preston Poems

  • Jackson. A Sonnet
    Thank God for such a Hero! - Fearless hold
    His diamond character beneath the sun,
    And brighter scintillations, one by one,
    Come flashing from it. Never knight of old ...
  • A Rhyme Of The War
    I.

    There is sorrow in Beechenbrook Cottage; the day
    Has been bright with the earliest glory of May; ...
  • Virginia Capta
    APRIL 9TH, 1865.


    I. ...
  • When The War Is Over. A Christmas Lay
    I.

    Ah! the happy Christmas times!
    Times we all remember; - ...
  • Dirge For Ashby
    Heard ye that thrilling word -
    Accent of dread -
    Flash like a thunderbolt,
    Bowing each head - ...
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Top 10 most used topics by Margaret J. Preston

Battle 4 Wild 3 Grave 3 Crown 3 Bold 3 Fight 3 Soul 3 Country 3 Duty 3 Thought 3


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The Song Of The Mouth-Organ
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(With apologies to the singer of the “Song of the Banjo”.)

I'm a homely little bit of tin and bone;
I'm beloved by the Legion of the Lost;
I haven't got a “vox humana” tone,
And a dime or two will satisfy my cost.
I don't attempt your high-falutin' flights;
I am more or less uncertain on the key;
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