William McGonagall

William Topaz McGonagal (c. 1825—29 September, 1902) was a Scottish Muggle celebrated as the worst poet in British history. A buffoonish man, McGonagall may be related to Minerva McGonagall, through her Muggle father, Robert McGonagall.

Behind the scenes
"William McGonagall is celebrated as the worst poet in British history. There was something irresistible to me about his name, and the idea that such a brilliant woman might be a distant relative of the buffoonish McGonagall."

- J. K. Rowling.


 * William McGonagall was a real British poet, who lived in the nineteenth century. He is widely acclaimed as the worst poet in British history, based on his spontaneously amusing and inappropriate rhythms, weak vocabulary, poor scansions, and ill-advised imagery.
 * The character of Minerva McGonagall was named after this individual, as J. K. Rowling felt "something irresistible to me about his name", and liked the idea of a familial relationship between the so different individuals.

Appearances

 * Pottermore