Gilfillan, George, 1813-1878

George Gilfillan was a Scottish author and minister. Born in Comrie and educated at the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, he became minister of a Dundee congregation in 1836 and remained there for the rest of his life. He published sermons, theology, essays, and criticism, notably A Gallery of Literary Portraits, and established a good literary reputation for himself. However, he was often conflicted between his literary interests and his religious beliefs, and his work and personal life sometimes echoed this uncertainty. A series of wicked parodies of his work in the 1850s cost him much of his literary reputation, but he remained a popular lecturer and biographer, and was exceedingly well-liked in Dundee.

George Gilfillan was a minister at Dundee and a prolific author and editor. "The Poets" referred to in the letter is Gilfillan's edition of the poets of Great Britain.

Scottish author.