William Charles Scully (October 29, 1855-August 25, 1943) is one of South Africa's best-known authors, although little known outside South Africa. In addition to his work as an author, his paid work was principally as a magistrate in Springfontein, South Africa, as well as in Namaqualand and the Transkei.
Scully was born in Dublin, Ireland, raised in Cashel, County Tipperary, and then emigrated to southern Africa with his parents during 1867. During 1871 he prospected for diamonds with Cecil Rhodes in Africa. His daughter, Miriam Power (b.1893), married Dr John A.Ryle; their children included Sir Martin Ryle, Nobel laureate. W.C.Scully died in Umbogintwini on Natal's coast during 1943, the same year as his wife Nora died.
His novel "Daniel Vananda" was described the violence engendered by the ethnic legislation of the time. Similarly, "Kafir Stories" contains stories that are generally sympathetic with the aboriginal African peoples of South Africa.
The Wreck of the Grosvenor, and other South African poems. South Africa, 1886.
(Anon.) Poems. 1892.
Kafir Stories. (2nd ed.) London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1895
The White Hecatomb, and other stories. London: Methuen, 1897
Between Sun and Sand: a Tale of an African Desert. 1898.
A Vendetta of the Desert. London: Methuen, 1898
By Veldt and Kopje. London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1907
The Ridge of the White Waters: "Witwatersrand", or, Impressions of a Visit to Johannesburg: with some notes of Durban, Delagoa Bay and the low country. London: Stanley Paul, nd (c. 1912)
Reminiscences of a South African Pioneer. London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1913
Further Reminiscences of a South African Pioneer. London: T Fisher Unwin, 1913
Lodges in the Wilderness. London: H. Jenkins, 1915
A History of South Africa: From the earliest days to union. London and New York: Longmans, Green, and Company, 1915
Sir J. H. Meiring Beck: A Memoir compiled by William Charles Scully, with an introduction by John X. Merriman. Cape Town: Maskew Miller, nd (c. 1921)
The Harrow: South Africa, 1900-1902: a novel. Cape Town: De Nationale Pers, 1921
Daniel Vananda: The Life Story of a Human Being. Cape Town: Juta Ltd, 1923
Scapalomine in Africa, or Pharmacy and Politics, Kimberley, Creer & Co., 1937