William Allingham, a British poet, born at Ballyshannon in Ireland about 1828. His father, a banker in his native town, gave him a good education in Irish schools; and He early showed a taste for literary pursuits, contributing to various periodicals. In 1850 he published a volume of poems, which he dedicated to Leigh Hunt, who had long appreciated and encouraged his work. In 1854 he published "Day and Night Songs," of which an enlarged edition, illustrated by artists of note, appeared the next year. In 1864 he published a poem in twelve chapters, entitled "Laurence Bloom-field in Ireland; " but it is by his short lyrics that he is best known. He has for some years held a government appointment in the English customs service, and he has also been since 1864 in receipt of a literary pension. He has edited "The Ballad Book."