Samuel Laing

Samuel Laing was a Scottish writer, born 1780, died 1868. He traveled in Scandinavia and northern Germany and published descriptions of these countries.

Works

• Journal of a residence in Norway during the years 1834, 1835, and 1836, 1836
• A tour in Sweden in 1838, 1839
  • In this work, the author strongly criticizes the Swedish-Norwegian union, implying that Norway ought to strive for independence. This caused a comment from the Swedish-Norwegian ambassador in London, M. Björnstierna, On the moral state and political union of Sweden and Norway, 1840.
• Notes of a traveller, 1842
  • Covers journeys in Prussia and other countries. The preface contains a response to Björnstierna's work (see above).
• Heimskringla. The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway, 3 vol., 1844
  • This is Samuel Laing's English translation of the 13th century Icelandic work by Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla (which see).

The writer's son was also named Samuel Laing, born 1812, died 1897, railroad administrator and writer.