Famous Persons and Places

"Famous Persons and Places" by Nathaniel Parker Willis is a collection of travel narratives and social observations written in the mid-19th century. The book captures the author's experiences and reflections as he journeys through England and Scotland, sharing encounters with prominent figures of society and settings that have cultural significance. At the start of the volume, the author recounts his experience leaving London for Scotland, emphasizing the vastness of London and depicting a lively steamboat journey with a diverse assembly of passengers, including some humorous interactions. He highlights the cultural differences between English and Scottish manners while observing the camaraderie and familiarity among fellow travelers. As he arrives in Edinburgh, he is struck by the city's beauty, blending historical intrigue and personal anecdotes, such as reflections on Mary Queen of Scots, setting the stage for further explorations into the intricacies of social life, hospitality, and the natural beauty of the Scottish landscape. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Nathaniel Parker Willis, also known as N. P. Willis, was an American writer, poet and editor who worked with several notable American writers including Edgar Allan Poe and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He became the highest-paid magazine writer of his day. His brother was the composer Richard Storrs Willis and his sister Sara wrote under the name Fanny Fern. Harriet Jacobs wrote her autobiography while being employed as his children's nurse.