Old Photograph William Archer Perth Perthshire Scotland

Old photograph of William Archer who was born in Perth, Perthshire, Scotland. William, born 23 September 1856, died 27 December 1924, was a Scottish critic and writer. The son of Thomas Archer. He was educated at the University of Edinburgh, where he received the degree of M.A. in 1876. Archer became a leader writer on the Edinburgh Evening News in 1875, and after a year in Australia returned to Edinburgh. In 1878 he took up residence in London, England. In 1879 he became dramatic critic of the London Figaro, and in 1884 of the World, where he remained until 1905. In London he soon took a prominent literary place. He was a friend of George Bernard Shaw, and arranged for his plays to be translated into German. During World War I, Archer wrote a series of open letters on behalf of Wellington House, arguing Germany's culpability in starting the conflict. He viewed the Allies, including England, as innocent bystanders, forced into defending the world against German militancy. He was one of the founders of the Simplified Spelling Society in 1908.



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