The Princess and Curdie

George MacDonald (1824–1905) was a Scottish author, poet, and Christian minister. He was a pioneering figure in the field of fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow writer Lewis Carroll. His romantic vision of spiritual realities have been cited as a major literary influence by many notable authors including W. H. Auden, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, Walter de la Mare, E. Nesbit, and Madeleine L’Engle. Although MacDonald was a pastor of a Congregationalist church for a time, he turned to writing to support his family and communicate his beliefs. Three years later, Phantastes was published to literary acclaim but little public enthusiasm. MacDonald then became Professor of English Literature at Bedford College, London, a post he held for seven years. For the next forty years, MacDonald lectured and wrote realistic novels, fantasy, children’s stories, and poetry, enjoying both popular and financial success. MacDonald produced some of his best works during the last fifteen years of his life, including There and Back and Lilith. The Princess and the Goblin was first published in 1871.