Sir
Thomas Urquhart
born
1611, Cromarty, Scot.
died 1660
Scottish author best known for his translation
of the works of François Rabelais, one of the
most original and vivid translations from any
foreign language into English.
Urquhart studied at King’s College, Aberdeen,
and fought against the Covenanters at Turriff
(1639). He was knighted by Charles I in 1641.
His strong Royalist convictions led him to join
the army of Charles II in 1651. Taken prisoner
at the Battle of Worcester, he was incarcerated
in the Tower of London and at Windsor. Cromwell
allowed his release on parole, and after 1653 he
appears to have been at liberty, probably taking
refuge on the European continent with other
Cavaliers. He died abroad, allegedly “in a fit
of excessive laughter, on being informed by his
servant that the King was restored,” in 1660.
In the
1640s and early ’50s Urquhart published several
fantastical works that combined an obscure
symbolism with sharply drawn autobiographical
reminiscences. Urquhart eventually found the
perfect medium for his rich, inventive,
idiosyncratic style in translating Rabelais. In
the Works of Mr. Francis Rabelais (books i–ii,
1653; part of book iii, 1693), his linguistic
exuberance and his sympathy with Rabelais’s
spirit combined to make this translation the
long-established English-language version. Peter
Anthony Motteux completed book iii (1693–94), as
well as books iv and v (1708).
