Carleton, William (1794–1869)

Irish novelist. Born into a Gaelic-speaking family in Prillisk, County Tyrone, he was educated in hedge-schools (informal and clandestine Catholic schools held out of doors in good weather). The Black Prophet (1846) is based on his personal experience of the 1817 and 1822 famines. Among his other novels are Fardorougha the Miser (1837), Rody the Rover (1845), Valentine MacClutchy (1845), and The Tithe Procter (1849).

His contributions to the Christian Examiner were published as Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry (1830–33). Critical of Catholic fundamentalism, the stories capture the energy and gloom, humour and violence of pre-famine rural Ireland. The collection was published by the Dublin publisher Curry & Company, and marked a revival of Irish publishing; the book was powerful evidence that an Irish writer did not necessarily require a British-backed publisher.

In his early career Carleton led a picaresque life, recounted in his Autobiography, wandering about the countryside and observing the colourful life that later appeared in his books. Eventually he settled in Dublin, married a Protestant, and changed his religion.

He is at his best with simple, vigorous character and lively, peasant dialogue, but is less successful with plots, particularly in his novels, which rely on sensationalism and incredible coincidence.