John Ormsby publishes his English translation of Don Quixote

Background. John Ormsby (1829–1895) was a nineteenth-century Anglo-Irish translator. His 1885 English translation of Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote de la Mancha is considered perhaps the most scholarly and accurate English translation of the novel up to that time. The work is noted for its precision, though later translators like Samuel Putnam criticized its literalness regarding pronouns.

Interpretive Stance. Ormsby provided a long introduction analyzing major English versions and his own conceptual choices. He refuted the view that Don Quixote is a sad, allegorical novel, arguing it is primarily a satire against chivalry. He also challenged the notion of Don Quixote's innate nobility, describing it as an assumed attitude. Ormsby criticized Cervantes' writing habits, noting the work was written carelessly.

Reception and Legacy. An 1886 Quarterly Review praised the translation's accuracy but criticized Ormsby's limited interpretation. His translation has seen more editions than any other nineteenth-century English version, appearing in major book series. It served as a model for modern translators, though Daniel Eisenberg preferred later revisions or Putnam's work. The original version is preferred for its full notes and introduction.