Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

WOMEN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHIES from Cambridge University Library

Part 1: Rare printed autobiographies covering thirty-three womens lives, 1713-1859 Part 2: Rare printed autobiographies covering twenty-two womens lives, 1780-1889

Contents listing

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

NOTES TO READERS

CONTENTS OF REELS - PART 1

DETAILED LISTING - PART 1

CONTENTS OF REELS - PART 2

DETAILED LISTING - PART 2 Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

Publisher's Note

Women’s autobiographies provide a rich and diverse source of information for social historians, literary scholars, and students studying women and gender issues.

We may wonder what compelled women to write their life histories. Some autobiographies were crafted by experienced writers with the intention of publication. Others were by less experienced writers, and intended only for private reading by family and friends. For some it was to relate a particular personal experience, and for others to retell their involvement in a movement or activity.

From these first-hand accounts much information can be learned. For example, recollections of a family history can reveal differing regional cultures. Childhood memories frequently recall the inequalities between brothers and sisters, particularly in relation to education; the different types of work undertaken by women, and the wages they received; the numbers of women involved in voluntary work for which no official records were held; private thoughts relating to marriage, spinsterhood and romance. These autobiographies also reveal women’s aspirations in life: socially what was expected of them, and privately what they felt they should aspire to.

Women in Context: Two Hundred Years of British Women Autobiographers: A Reference Guide and Reader by Barbara Penny Kanner (G K Hall & Co, 1997) provides students with a structured overview of more than 1,000 women’s autobiographical texts from the 1720s through two hundred years. Women’s Autobiographies aims to make these resources more widely available by reproducing the original text (filming first or early editions).

Part 1 covers the lives of thirty-two women who lived between 1713 and 1859 with a total of forty-three texts.

One of the first autobiographies is A Narrative of the Life of Mrs Charlotte Charke, Daughter of (1755) which describes the life and experiences of Charlotte Charke (1713-1760). There is much on the 18th century theatre, as she both acted and wrote farces for the stage and knew and . Her great success as Macheath in The Beggar’s Opera is described, as well as her proclivity for cross-dressing off-stage, which will make her of interest to gay studies.

The Memoirs of Laetitia Pilkington, Written by Herself (3 volumes, 1749-1754) offers a polished account of the life of an Anglo-Irish writer (c.1706-1750) whose fortunes veered from friendship and patronage of , to imprisonment in for debt. At one stage her husband encouraged her to form liaisons with other men to further his career and she later bemoaned the lack of jobs for women, so there is much interesting commentary on the position of women in the 18th century. By way of counterpoint, we also include her husband’s reaction to the Memoirs and her own Biography for Boys (1799) and Biography for Girls (1800) suggesting gender differences.

Ann Candler (1740-1814), workhouse inmate and poet, details her troubled life in Poetical Attempts by Ann Candler, a Suffolk Cottager, with a Short Narrative of Her Life (1803). The loss of three children in infancy, desertion by her husband and workhouse life are all described.

The Memoirs of the Late Mrs Catharine Cappe, Written by Herself (1822) take us into the life of an Evangelical social reformer who established a Female Bebefit Club for miners’ wives and daughters in Yorkshire and founded District Committees of Ladies to help poor women throughout the country. Once again, in addition to the autobiography we also feature her Observations on Charity Schools, Female Friendly Societies and other Subjects (1805). Thoughts on the Desirableness and Utility of Ladies Visiting the Female Wards of Hospitals and Lunatic Asylums (1816).

Part 2 continues with a selection of autobiographies from nineteen women who lived between the years 1780 and 1889.

Twenty-three texts recall the lives and experiences of women from all social classes, involving a wide range of professions and interests. They include an emigrant farmer’s wife, teacher, governess, author, poet, itinerant preacher, artist, journalist, lady-in-waiting, astronomer, scientist, slavery abolitionist, feminists, and reformer for social welfare. The social and cultural traditions of women are also revealed, for example as a clergyman’s daughter, a society woman, a military spouse, and a colonial farmer’s wife in India.

An autobiography written by a woman from the poorer classes is that of Rebecca Burlend (1793-1872). As the wife of a tenant farmer, she travelled with her husband and family to America in 1831 in search of a better life. In her book A True Picture of Emigration (1848) she recalls their life as homesteaders in mid-19th century Illinois. Burlend recounts the legal details of homesteading as well as the practicalities of making their own furniture, soap and candles, along with local methods of fence building and cattle raising. Throughout her narrative she compares the depressed state of British farming with the modest prosperity achieved by her family in America.

A very different life is revealed by Susan Sibbald (1783-1866) in her autobiography The Memoirs of Susan Sibbald, 1783- 1812 (1926). Born into a naval military family Sibbald relates first-hand anecdotes about the lives and social customs of the upper military classes during late 18th and early 19th century Britain, including her acquaintance with Admiral Sidney Smith, who late helped defeat Napoleon’s navy in Egypt. The memoir includes recollections from her childhood to early married life as the daughter and wife of military men. It is of significant interest that this autobiography was written during Britain’s involvement in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Sibbald’s self-history ends in her twenty-ninth year, but extracts from letters included in this book contain contemporary views on the Crimean War, the Fenian Raids in Canada, and the American Civil War.

Nostalgic recollections of a rural childhood are retold by Louisa Potter (c.1800-?) in her autobiography Lancashire Memories (1879). The author recalls holidays in Riverton, Lancashire ‘in the age before railroads’, and travelling by packet boat on the canal. Whimsical, satirical names are used to disguise identities of people such as ‘Mrs Ruleit’ the headmistress, and ‘Lofty Highway Esq’ the neighbouring squire. However, Potter also reveals a firm grasp of social realities in the early 19th century. She discusses such topics as the inequalities in education between boys and girls, the growing unrest among the working classes, and the divisive social class structure. Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

The autobiography by astronomer-geographer, Mary Somerville (1780-1872), recalls her life over a period of nine decades throughout the Georgian and Victorian periods. In her book Personal Recollections, from Early Life to Old Age of Mary Somerville (1873) she recalls friendships with Sir John Herschel, Michael Faraday, and Joanna Baillie. Somerville reveals that as a woman intellectual in the 18th century she met with contemporary prejudice, and was seen as an oddity. Seeking equality for women was an important issue for Somerville throughout her long life. In recognition of her work as a scientist she received several important awards, and will be permanently remembered in the foundation of Somerville Hall, a new women’s college at Oxford University.

Also included in the collection are: Wanderings of a Pilgrim in Search of the Picturesque (1850) by Fanny Parks (1794-1875), which details Indian peoples and customs over a thirty year period; My Own Story, Autobiography of a Child (1849) and An Autobiography (1889) by Mary Howitt (1799-1889) poet, social reformer and abolitionist; Personal Recollections by Charlotte Elizabeth (1841) by Charlotte Elizabeth Tonna (1790-1846) religionist/spiritualist writer, and social reformer; Recollections of a Literary Life: or, Books, Places and People (1870) by Mary Russell Mitford (1787-1855) poet and novelist.

Women’s Autobiographies provides fresh insights into the diversity of women’s lives, and reveals their beliefs, opinions and aspirations. It provides a valuable body of evidence for those studying childhood, class, education and the creation of gendered spaces and identities.

Notes to Readers

The numbers in { } brackets throughout this guide refer to the publication Women in Context: Two Hundred Years of British Women Autobiographers: A Reference Guide and Reader, Barbara Penny Kanner, G K Hall & Co, New York, 1997.

Contents of Reels

REEL 1 ALEXANDER, Mary, 1760-1809 Some Account of the Life and Religious Experience of Mary Alexander, Late of Needham Market. 1811 {4}

ASHBRIDGE, Elizabeth (née Sampson), 1713-1755 Quaker Gray; Some Account of the forepart of the life of Elizabeth Ashbridge, written by her own hand many years ago. 1904 {44}

ASHFORD, Mary Ann, 1787-c.1840 Life of a Licensed Victualler’s Daughter, Written by Herself. 1844 {46}

ASHFORD, Mary Ann An argument [1817] Wager of battle [1818] Thornton’s Trial!!! The trial of A Thornton … for the murder of M Ashford. [1817] An investigation of the case of Abraham Thornton. [1818]

CANDLER, Ann (née More), 1740-1814 Poetical Attempts, by Anne Candler, a Suffolk Cottager, with a Short Narrative of Her Life. 1803 {202}

CAPPE, Catharine (née Harrison), 1744-1821 Memoirs of The Life of the Late Mrs Catharine Cappe, Written by Herself. 1822 {204}

REEL 2 CAPPE, Catharine Observations on Charity Schools, Female Friendly Societies, and other Subjects connected with the views of the Ladies Committee. 1805

CAPPE, Catharine Thoughts on various Charitable and Other Institutions, and on the best mode of conducting them. 1814

CAPPE, Catharine Thoughts on the Desirableness and Utility of Ladies Visiting the Female Wards of Hospitals and Lunatic Asylums. 1816

CARY, Catherine E, c.1700-c.1825 Memoirs of Miss C E Carey, Written by Herself, Who was Retained in the Service of the Late Queen Caroline. 1825 3 vols {213}

REEL 3 CHARKE, Charlotte (née Cibber), 1713-1760 A Narrative of the Life of Mrs Charlotte Charke, Youngest Daughter of Colley Ciber, Esq. 1755 {216}

COGHLAN, Margaret (née Moncrieffe), c.1763-? Memoirs of Mrs Coghlan, Daughter of the Late Major Moncrieffe, Written by Herself. 1794 2 vols {231}

CRAVEN, Lady Elizabeth, Baroness Craven (née Berkeley, later Margravine of Anspach), 1750-1828 Memoirs of the Margravine of Anspach. Written by Herself. 1826 2 vols {258}

REEL 4 CROWLEY, Ann, 1766-1826 Some Expressions of Ann Crowley, Daughter of Thomas and Mary Crowley, of London. 1774 {263}

CROWLEY, Ann Some Account of the Religious Experience of Ann Crowley. 1842

DUDLEY, Mary (née Stokes), 1750-1823 The Life of Mary Dudley, including an Account of her Religious Engagements and Extracts from her Letters. 1825 {307}

ELLIOTT, Grace Dalrymple, Lady, 1765-1823 The Journal of My Life During the French Revolution. 1859 {321}

GRANT, Anne (née MacVicar), 1755-1838 Memoirs of an American Lady: With Sketches of Manners and Scenes in America as They Existed Previous to the Revolution. 1809. 2 vols {405}

REEL 5 GURNEY, Priscilla Hannah, 1757-1828 Memoir of the Life and Religious Experience of Priscilla Hannah Gurney. 1856 {423}

HERBERT, Dorothea, 1770-1829 Retrospections of Dorothea Herbert. 1929, 1930 2 vols {453}

JEMISON, Mary, 1743-1833 Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

Deh-he-wa-mis: or a Narrative of the Life of Mary Jemison: otherwise called The White Woman. 1847 {502}

JOHNSTON, Elizabeth Lichtenstein, 1764-1848 Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist. Written in 1836. 1901 {507}

REEL 6 KNIGHT, (Ellis) Cornelia, 1757-1837 Autobiography of Miss Cornelia Knight, Lady Companion to the Princess Charlotte of Wales. 1861 2 vols {534}

MORGAN, Sydney, Lady (née Owenson), c.1783-1859 Passages from my Autobiography. 1859 {675}

REEL 7 MORGAN, Sydney Dramatic Scenes from Real Life. 1833 2 vols

MORTIMER, Elizabeth (née Ritchie), 1754-1835 Memoirs of Mrs Elizabeth Mortimer, with Selections from Her Correspondence. 1836 {679}

REEL 8 PAPENDIEK, Charlotte (née Albert), 1765-1839 Court and Private Life in the Time of Queen Charlotte: Being the Journals of Mrs Papendiek, Assistant Keeper of the Wardrobe and Reader to Her Majesty. 1887 2 vols {734}

PHILLIPS, Catherine (née Payton), 1727-1794 Memoirs of the Life of Catherine Phillips: to Which Are Added Some of Her Epistles. 1797 {750}

REEL 9 PILKINGTON, Laetitia (née van Lewen), c.1706-1750 Memoirs of Mrs Laetitia Pilkington, Wife to the Rev. Mr. Matthew Pilkington. Written by Herself. 1749 3 vols {754}

PILKINGTON, Laetitia Biography for Girls; or, Moral and Instructive Examples for the Female Sex. 1800

PILKINGTON, Laetitia Biography for Boys; or, Characteristic Histories: Calculated to Impress the Youthful Mind. 1799

REEL 10 PIOZZI, Hester Lynch Thrale (née Salusbury;), 1741-1821 Autobiography, Letters, and Literary Remains of Mrs Piozzi (Thrale) 1861 2 vols {757}

ROBERTSON, Hannah, 1724-c.1800 The Life of Mrs Robertson, Grand-Daughter of Charles II. Written by Herself. 1791 {794}

ROBINSON, Mary ‘Perdita’ (née Darby), 1758-1800 Memoirs of the Late Mrs Robinson, Written by Herself. 1894 4 vols {795}

REEL 11 SCHIMMELPENNICK, Mary Anne (née Galton), 1778-1856 The Life of Mary Anne SchimmelPennick. 1858 2 vols {826}

SHERWOOD, Mary Martha (née Butt), 1775-1851 The Life and Times of Mrs Sherwood (1775-1851) from the Diaries of Captain and Mrs Sherwood. 1854 {843}

REEL 12 SIDDONS, Sarah (née Kemble), 1775-1831 Memoirs of Mrs Siddons, interspersed with anecdotes of authors and actors. 1827 2 vols {846}

TALBOT, Mary Anne (John Taylor, pseud), 1778-1808 The Life & Surprising Adventures of Mary Anne Taylor in the name of John Taylor, a natural daughter of the late Earl Talbot. 1893 {929}

TURNER, Joan (née Cook), 1732-1785 Memoirs of Joan Turner, as exemplified in her Life, Death, and Spiritual Experience. 1820 {960}

WALKER, Elizabeth, 1623-1690 The Holy Life of Mrs Elizabeth Walker. 1823

Detalied Listing - Part 1

REEL 1

ALEXANDER, Mary, 1760-1809 Some Account of the Life and Religious Experience of Mary Alexander, Late of Needham Market. Editor William Alexander (author’s brother). York 1811 {4}

Mary Alexander was born at Needham Market, Suffolk into a Quaker family of lower middle class. Her father, Dykes Alexander, was a Quaker elder and her mother, Martha Biddle, a Quaker minister. Alexander was one of six children. She became a Quaker Religionist aged 17 and received permission to preach at the age of 23, ‘determining henceforth to forsake all ‘unprofitable reading’ and stay with the Bible’. The narrative begins with her childhood, and relates her life as a travelling Quaker minister, and her lifelong spiritual introspection. Despite loneliness and depression Alexander continues as an itinerant preacher around England and Scotland, with the spiritual comfort that she helps those in need of spiritual regeneration. Her narrative is completed by her brother, William, following her death in 1809 from smallpox. The work is ‘rich in practical diary entries that give a concrete sense of women ministers’ duties on their working journeys’.

ASHBRIDGE, Elizabeth (née Sampson), 1713-1755 Quaker Gray; Some Account of the forepart of the life of Elizabeth Ashbridge, written by her own hand many years ago. Introduction by A C Curtis. Guildford 1904 {44}

Born in Middlewich, Cheshire Elizabeth Ashbridge had a pious middle class childhood. She was raised by her mother Mary, an Anglican, while her father Thomas Sampson, a naval surgeon, was away at sea. The narrative charts her life, thoughts and emotions through three marriages, as an emigrant in America, a religious conversion to Quakerism, and her eventual return to Britain to preach in 1853. In adolescence aged 14 Ashbridge runs away to marry, and is widowed after five months. Her father does not allow her to return home, and she goes to live with Quaker relatives in . In 1732 she travels as an emigrant to America, where she suffers physical and mental hardships as an indentured servant. In c.1734 she marries Sullivan, a schoolteacher, and becomes a teacher herself. During this time she is drawn to the Quaker faith. Sullivan has a short temper and fondness for drink which result in physical and mental abuse. Ashbridge works as a teacher and Quaker minister in New England and New York. In 1846 she marries Aaron Ashbridge, and later returns to Britain to preach. This account gives insights into 18th century life in both America and Britain on religion, education, social customs, women’s employment during America’s colonial period, and the practice of semi-legal kidnapping of British citizens to serve indentures in the colonies.

ASHFORD, Mary Ann, 1787-c.1840 Life of a Licensed Victualler’s Daughter, Written by Herself. London 1844 {46}

Mary Ashford was born into a London working-class family in 1787. Her father, Joseph Ashford was a skinner and tanner, and her mother (not named) both died leaving Ashford an orphan. The narrative relates, ‘vivid emotional reactions to childhood experiences, followed by adult occupational and financial difficulties’. As a child Ashford hated school because of the ridicule she suffered as a charity student. When orphaned she went into poorly paid domestic service. She marries twice, both husbands in military service, and recalls the financial problems that ensued. Firstly, the frustrated attempts to collect her first husband’s military pension, and in her second marriage finding her six children barred from living in military quarters. Ashford’s narrative illustrates the difficulties faced by widows and orphans of the lower classes in the early 19th century, and she openly discusses the ‘callousness of prevailing employee-servant relationships’.

ASHFORD, Mary Ann other works included:

An argument for construing largely the right of an appellee of murder, to insist on his Wager of Battle, and also for abrogating writs of appeal. By E A Kendall. London. [1817]

Wager of Battle. Thornton and Mary Ashford; or an antidote to prejudice. London [1818]

Thornton’s Trial!!! The Trial of Abraham Thornton for the murder of M Ashford. [1817]

An investigation of the case of Abraham Thornton, who was tried at Warwick, August 8, 1817, for the wilful murder, and afterwards arraigned for the rape, of Mary Ashford; (of which charges he was that day acquitted. London. [1818]

CANDLER, Ann (née More), 1740-1814 Poetical Attempts, by Ann Candler, a Suffolk Cottager, with a Short Narrative of Her Life. Ipswich 1803 {202}

Ann Candler was the daughter of William More glove maker in Yoxford, Suffolk, and mother née Holder. This autobiographical memoir takes the form of a letter to her patroness; it is bound with her poems, and relates her marital and financial problems. The loss of three of her nine children in infancy, desertion by her husband who enlisted as a soldier, and her life in the workhouse are all described. The troubled life of Candler reveals the ‘circumstances of enlisted soldier’s families during the 18th century, and the conditions and terms of existence within workhouses’.

CAPPE, Catharine (née Harrison), 1744-1821 Memoirs of the Life of the Late Mrs Catharine Cappe. Written by Herself. London 1822 {204}

Born at Long Preston, Craven, Yorkshire Catharine Cappe’s autobiography describes her ‘devout Yorkshire upbringing, marriage to a clergyman, and later social reform work, c.1750-1812. She was the daughter of the Revd Jeremiah Harrison, a Church of England Clergyman, and her mother, née Winn. In 1788 Catharine married Newcome Cappe, a minister, who died two years later leaving Catharine with 6 stepchildren. The author takes us into the life of an Evangelical social reformer who Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

established a Female Benefit Club for miners’ wives and daughters in Yorkshire and founded District Committees of Ladies to help poor women throughout the country. Cappe urges readers, ‘to be vigilant lest they fall into ‘whirlpools of vice and folly’ sets the moral tone of her book’ which reveals ‘social customs, religious trends and gender roles’.

REEL 2

CAPPE, Catharine other works included: Observations on Charity Schools, Female Friendly Societies, and other subjects connected with the views of the Ladies Committee. York. 1805

Thoughts on various Charitable Institutions, and on the best mode of conducting them. York. 1814

Thoughts on the desirableness and utility of ladies visiting the female wards of hospitals and lunatic asylums. London. 1816

CARY, Catharine E, c.1700-c.1825 Memoirs of Miss C E Cary, Written by Herself, Who was Retained in the Service of the Late Queen Caroline. London 1825 3 vols {213}

Particulars of the early life of the author are intentionally vague and improbable. Born in England of unknown parentage, with her father allegedly a Roman Catholic duke, and her husband from a marriage c.1817 also not named. As a member of the aristocracy she claims to have known Queen Caroline, and Lord Palmerston, among others. It is thought ‘Cary’s work is effectively a roman-à-clef designed to lure contemporary readers familiar with the Queen Caroline affair into trying to identify each of her veiled characters.’ It is supposed that ‘Miss Cary’ was a servant of the queen who witnessed events in court, and as such provides ‘one of the few first-hand records of the Regency era’s covert power struggles.’

REEL 3

CHARKE, Charlotte (née Cibber), 1713-1760 A Narrative of the Life of Mrs Charlotte Charke, Youngest Daughter of Colley Cibber, Esq. London 1755 {216}

The narrative of Charlotte Charke describes her life and experiences as an actress, a cross-dresser and a famous playwright’s daughter, through periods of prosperity and poverty. Her father was Colley Cibber, the well-known actor, theatre manager and playwright, and her mother Katharine Shore, an actress. The author made her debut on the London stage aged 17, and her great success as Macheath in the Beggar’s Opera, 1744-45 is described. There is much on the 18th century theatre and Charke, who also wrote farces for the stage, knew Henry Fielding and David Garrick. Charke’s self-destructive escapades angered her father and alienated her from most of her family, and when her father died she received no part of the estate. This swashbuckling account of the author’s life resembles a ‘picaresque 18th century fiction’ in the style of Fielding, although Charke’s historical identity is not in question. The author’s proclivity for cross-dressing makes her account of importance to ‘historians of gender and gay studies, who will find it one of the most complete early accounts of a ‘passing women.’’ Her writings include The Mercer (c.1765), The History of Henry Dumont, Esq.; and Miss Charlotte Evelyn (1756) and The Lover’s Treat (1758).

COGHLAN, Margaret (née Moncrieffe), c.1763-? Memoirs of Mrs Coghlan, Daughter of the Late Major Moncrieffe, Written by Herself. London 1794 2 vols {231}

Born in Dublin, Ireland Margaret Coughlan was the daughter of Major Moncrieffe, a British Army officer, and Margaret Jephson. Coghlan’s mother died at the age of 20 leaving the author and her brother, then aged 3 & 5 to be brought up by friends and family on both sides of the Atlantic. Coughlan’s narrative describes her life and experiences in Ireland, America, France and England, through childhood, marriage and ‘financial accommodations with a series of lovers, 1760-1794’. She knew General Gage, Frederick Jay, Lord Thomas Clinton and the Comte d’Artois. ‘This classically picaresque 18th century memoir seems to be genuine, naming real names and providing precise details of troop movements during America’s Revolutionary War’. Coughlan’s relationships as ‘kept mistress’ show how women, who were unprotected by marriage or male relatives, were in a situation of greater legal disadvantage than men. The author’s opinions show signs ‘of a feminist sensibility that takes this memoir out of the ordinary.’

CRAVEN, Lady Elizabeth, Baroness Craven (née Berkeley, later Margravine of Anspach), 1750-1828. Memoirs of the Margravine of Anspach. Written by Herself. London 1826 2 vols {258}

Elizabeth Craven was born into an aristocratic family, her father was Augustus, 4th Earl of Berkeley, and her mother Elizabeth Drax, later, Lady Nugent. Craven’s memoirs, contained in two volumes, recall her childhood and adult life in European Court society during the - c.1806. She describes her visits and experiences of the royal families at courts in France, Italy, Austria, Poland, St Petersburg, Berlin and Prussia. The author also writes about her marriage to William Craven, later Baron Craven, and her family of seven children. Also, her love affair with the margrave of Anspach, whom she later marries. The author also mixed in literary circles and knew Horace Walpole, Dr Johnson, David Garrick, Sir Joshua Reynolds and the bluestocking, Elizabeth Montagu. Craven’s memoir ‘serves as a vast compendium of behind-the-scenes actions in European history of the late 18th century [providing] vital details of dynastic secrets, covert decisions, and crucial relationships between rulers,’ and is considered ‘among the best contemporary memoirs of the period’.

REEL 4

CROWLEY, Ann, 1766-1826 Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

Some Expressions of Ann Crowley, Daughter of Thomas and Mary Crowley, of London. London 1774

CROWLEY, Ann Some Account of the Religious Experience of Ann Crowley. Lindfield 1842 {263}

Ann Crowley’s narrative describes her childhood conversion, and extensive travels as an itinerant preacher of the Quaker faith. Cowley was born into a lower middle class family in Shillingford, Oxfordshire and was one of 8 daughters; her parents are not named. At the age of 16 she received a visitation from God. Following the deaths of her father and a sister, and the loss of three sisters to marriage she understood that she must rely on the consolation of God to overcome her bereavements. In 1796 she obtained permission to travel and preach as a Quaker minister, and she journeyed throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Crowley’s spiritual memoirs serve as didactic models for converts and as testimonial of the author’s true vocation. The history of her personal life if placed in the context of the effect of her spiritual work.

DUDLEY, Mary (née Stokes), 1750-1823 The Life of Mary Dudley, including an Account of Her Religious Engagements and Extracts from Her Letters, with an Appendix Containing Some Account of the Illness and Death of Her Daughter Hannah Dudley. Editor Elizabeth Dudley, author’s daughter. London 1825 {307}

The autobiography of Mary Dudley covers her life from childhood, through religious conversions from Anglicanism to Methodism to Quakerism, and her travels as an itinerant Quaker missionary. As a child she has a liking for ‘vain amusements’. At age 20 she is shocked out of her vanity by the death of her grandmother, and the realisation of the brevity of life. At this time she begins looking for communion with God, and joins the Methodists, then the Society of Friends, and in 1773 joins the Quakers travelling as a missionary. Leaving her husband and seven children at home she travels through Ireland, England, Scotland and the Channel Islands, and to Europe where she preached to Anabaptist and Moravian congregations. The text contains the author’s memoirs, letters and diary extracts, together with the editor’s biographical notes. The work offers a richness as a day-to-day journal documenting the growth of Quaker missionary activities in the 18th and 19th centuries.

ELLIOTT, Grace Dalrymple, Lady, 1765-1823 The Journal of My Life During the French Revolution. London 1859 {321}

Elliott’s memoir is an eye-witness account of a British aristocrat and confirmed royalist during the early years of the French Revolution from 1789-c.1794. Her narrative includes notes on the fall of the Bastille, and the excesses of the Paris mob, a description of the attack on the Tuileries, hiding Swiss soldiers in her house, helping the Marquis de Chansenets to escape from Paris, and the Reign of Terror following the King’s execution, 1793. The author is imprisoned for conspiracy for eighteen months before her release and return to England. On her return George III commanded her to write her memoirs of the French Revolution. The narrative was disseminated among Britain’s upper circles, who were themselves fearful of unrest within England. In 1814 Elliott renewed her liaison with the Prince of Wales, later William IV, the father of her daughter.

GRANT, Anne (née MacVicar), 1755-1838 Memoirs of an American Lady: With Sketches of Manners and Scenes in America as They Existed Previous to the Revolution. London 1809 Second edition 2 vols {405}

Contained in two volumes, Anne Grant records both her personal memories and experiences of colonial life, and a finely detailed account of American history from the second half of the 18th century to c.1810s. Her father, Duncan MacVicar, officer in the 77th infantry, was military chaplain in Oswego, and later the Albany Settlement. Volume 1 includes details on the history of the Albany Settlement; the early Dutch settlers; the culture and customs of the Five Nations: Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas; black slavery and the author’s personal opposition to slavery. Volume 2 includes details on the outbreak of the French and Indian war; how the author aged 3 and her mother are the first European females to travel so far into the wilderness; the solitary living conditions at Albany; and a family journey down the Hudson River. Her writings include: Original Poems with Some Translations from the Gaelic (1803), Letters from the Mountains (1806) and Popular Models and Impressive Warnings for the Sons and Daughters of Industry (1815).

REEL 5

GURNEY, Priscilla Hannah, 1757-1828 Memoir of the Life and Religious Experience of Priscilla Hannah Gurney. Editor Susanna Corder London 1856 {423}

The narrative of Priscilla Gurney charts her personal religious journey from a Quaker childhood to conversion to the Church of England, and then a return to the Quaker faith and itinerant preaching throughout England, c.1763-1824. In adolescence the author relates having confusing spiritual signs, and aged 15 is persuaded by friends to receive baptism into the Anglican Church, in defiance of her uncle David Barclay, a Quaker writer. Further spiritual dissatisfaction results in illness and her return to the Quaker faith. ‘While other Quaker memoirs help clarify details of the Quakers’ evangelism throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Gurney’s account stresses Quakerism’s cultural aspects and social consciousness’. Other distinguished Quaker family members include her paternal grandfather Joseph Gurney the preacher, as well as her cousin Elizabeth Gurney Fry a prison reform advocate, and her brother John Joseph Gurney, both leading figures in the anti-slavery cause.

HERBERT, Dorothea, 1770-1829 Retrospections of Dorothea Herbert, 1770-1789, 1789-1806. London 1929, 1930 2 vols {453}

Dorothea Herbert, born in County Kilkenny, Ireland was the daughter of Nicholas Herbert clergyman, and Martha Cuffe daughter of Lady Desart. In her autobiography Herbert describes her life and experiences in 18th century upper class Irish society. Volume 1 concentrates on the first nineteen years from 1770-1789. Details include her education, studying dancing, music and drawing, her social debut, women’s fashions c. 1780, attending weddings and being courted by beaux including Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

John Roe. Family history includes a visit to the Desart family seat. Political and social history includes listing the causes and consequences of the parish rebellions of 1781-82. Volume 2, 1789-1806 recounts her love affair with John Roe, and his later betrayal of her, and relates further details of her domestic life, and Anglo-Irish contemporary events.

JEMISON, Mary, 1743-1833 Deh-he-wa-mis: or a Narrative of the Life of Mary Jemison: otherwise called the White Woman. Editor James E Seaver. Shebbear, , USA 1847 {502}

Mary Jemison was born on the ship William and Mary in 1743 as her family were emigrating from Londonderry, Ireland to America. Her father Thomas Jemison of rural farming class and his wife Jane Erwin settled with their family in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This is an oral narrative by Jemison who describes her life as ‘an American Indian captive who adopted tribal life’, c.1743-1823. The author describes how as a child her family are attacked by the French and Shawnees, 1755, and all bar her two eldest brothers were captured, murdered and scalped. The author and another child were spared and taken captive. Jemison describes her adoption into the Seneca tribe, and tribal domestic life, her marriage to Shenijee, a Delaware who died in the Cherokee wars, and a second marriage c.1761 to Hiokatoo, a Seneca, which lasted fifty years. Also described is American General Sullivan’s invasion of New York, 1776, how the Seneca took refuge with the British at Fort Niagra, and later returned to their devastated lands. How she chose to stay with the Seneca after the Revolutionary War, and eventually in 1817 became a naturalised US citizen. The autobiography was transcribed by the editor James Everett Seaver, in first- person narration.

JOHNSTON, Elizabeth Lichtenstein, 1764-1848 Recollections of a Georgia Loyalist. Written in 1836. Editor Rev Arthur Wentworth Eaton. New York & London 1901 {507}

In her autobiography Elizabeth Lichtenstein Johnston describes her life as daughter, mother and grandmother in Savannah, Canada, Britain and the West Indies, during the period 1764-1837. The daughter of F John Lichtenstein, a Russian emigrant and Catherine Delegal, of French Huguenot descent, she spent much of her childhood and early married life in Savannah. Lichtenstein married at age 15 to Captain William Martin Johnston, a physician in the New York Volunteers. The author provides eyewitness accounts of the American Revolutionary War describing the bombardment of Savannah, including the women’s shelters, the evacuation of the city, and the withdrawal of the rebels. Written from a partisan Tory viewpoint, this account provides rich detail of 18th century family life, describing conditions and dangers experienced by non-combatant family members of British soldiers. The author’s assessment of the deplorable state of religion and morals in Jamaica exemplifies the reactions of British travellers to new and unfamiliar cultures.

REEL 6

KNIGHT, (Ellis) Cornelia, 1757-1837 Autobiography of Miss Cornelia Knight, Lady Companion to the Princess Charlotte of Wales. London 1861 2 vols {534}

Cornelia Knight records her personal reminiscences, and political and historical observations from childhood to age 60. Born into an upper class family her father was Sir Joseph Knight, rear admiral, while her mother and stepmother are not named. Details of her childhood include attending primary school in Switzerland aged 5, and travelling with her mother to Italy and France. She records details of her mother’s friendship with Thomas Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds, and memories of Samuel Johnson. She writes on Italian fashion and customs, the Italian common people’s horror of the French Revolution, and the occupation of Rome by French troops. In 1812 she enters the service of Princess Charlotte (the Queen’s daughter) at Warwick House, and she describes her personal experiences as lady companion to the princess. She also records the personal and political problems faced by the British royal family in the early 19th century. Knight’s autobiography can usefully be compared to those of Charlotte Papendiek’s Court and Private Life in the Time of Queen Charlotte, 1887 (Reel 8), and Catherine Cary’s Memoirs of Miss C E Cary, 1825 (Reel 2). Published works by Knight include: Dinarbas (1790), Flaminius (1792), Sir Guy de Lusignan (1833) and Translations from the German in Prose and Verse (1812).

MORGAN, Sydney, Lady (née Owenson), c.1783-1859 Passages from my autobiography. London 1859 {675}

Sydney Morgan was born in Dublin, Ireland and was the daughter of Robert Owenson, composer and theatrical songwriter and mother, Jenny Hill. Her father was a relative of . The author married Sir Charles Morgan, physician in 1812; marrying from middle- class society to the upper classes. She was a novelist, social historian, poet, governess and political activist. Her novels include The Wild Irish Girl (1801) and Woman and Her Master (1840). The author’s memoirs recorded in Passages from my Autobiography describe, ‘the simple records of a transition existence, socially enjoyed, and pleasantly and profitably occupied, during a journey of a few months from Ireland to Italy.’

REEL 7

MORGAN, Sydney other work included:

Dramatic Scenes from Real Life. London 1833 2 vols

MORTIMER, Elizabeth (née Ritchie), 1754-1835 Memoirs of Mrs Elizabeth Mortimer, with Selections from Her Correspondence. Editor Agnes Bulmer. London 1836 {679}

Elizabeth Mortimer begins her autobiography with an account of her adolescent life, and Conversion experience at age 18. It details her struggle between the ‘pleasures of worldliness and merits of spirituality.’ Born into a Yorkshire middle-class Methodist family, her parents were F John Ritchie, a naval surgeon, and Beatrice Robinson. She received a strict religious education. Age 12 she went to live with Mrs H, a former patient, who had grown very fond of her. She describes Mrs H’s prejudice against Methodism, and the shame the author felt for her family. On a visit to York she indulges in plays, cards and Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

company while still believing she is a good Christian. She returns to her parents, and later meets John Wesley, accepting Methodist doctrine and rejecting the worldliness of Mrs H and her friends. In 1771 following her conversion experience Mortimer kept a private spiritual diary until 1793.

REEL 8

PAPENDIEK, Charlotte Louise Henrietta (née Albert), 1765-1839 Court and Private Life in the time of Queen Charlotte: being the Journals of Mrs Papendiek, Assistant Keeper of the Wardrobe and Reader to Her Majesty. Editor Mrs Vernon Delves Broughton (author’s granddaughter). 1887 2 vols {734}

Charlotte Papendiek wrote this autobiography for her children. It contains a detailed account of 18th century Hanoverian court life and intrigue, with anecdotes and gossip. Her father was Frederick Albert of Saxe-Teschen who was attached to the court of Queen Charlotte in London. Papendiek writes about her childhood, receiving smallpox inoculations, her education, and her marriage to Mr Papendiek, a court musician whom she married for financial security. Her friends and acquaintances included George III, Queen Charlotte, Dr Samuel Johnson, Mrs Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi, Fanny Burney, Johan Christoph Bach (son of J S Bach), Sir Joshua Reynolds, Franz Joseph Haydn and Sarah Trimmer. Her narrative includes anecdotes of Mrs Siddons, the Duchess of Devonshire, and the astronomer, Herschel. The author also writes about contemporary political activities, including the Gordon Riots, 1780, the outbreak of the French Revolution and the ensuing public unrest in Britain, and the writings of Thomas Paine being a stimulus on the riots.

PHILLIPS, Catherine (née Payton), 1727-1794 Memoirs of the Life of Catherine Phillips: to Which Are Added Some of her Epistles. London 1797 {750}

The memoirs of the life of Catherine Phillips describe her personal, spiritual and travel experiences over a period of 70 years. They include her Methodist childhood, boarding school education, closeness to her father, and the religious devotion and affection of her mother towards her children. Age 22 she entered the ministry, preaching in Wales, Ireland and Scotland. In 1753 she travelled to Friends’ communities throughout America. During her journeys she experiences health problems and travel dangers. Her writings include discussions on the evils of alcoholism, the moral dilemma of Friends who keep slaves, accepted standards of behaviour in the ministry between single men and single women, and gender equality in the community and ministry of Friends.

REEL 9

PILKINGTON, Laetitia (née Van Lewen), c.1706-1750 Memoirs of Mrs Laetitia Pilkington, wife to the Rev. Mr. Matthew Pilkington. Written by herself. Dublin 1749 {754}

In her personal and literary memoirs Laetitia Pilkington uses comment, report and gossip to describe her ‘adventures and misadventures’. Born in Dublin, her childhood memories describe her admiration of her father John Van Lewen, obstetrician, who held progressive views towards women, and trained women as midwives. The author describes her troubled marriage to Matthew Pilkington, Anglican curate, her travelling to London in 1733 to be with him, his encouragement for her to form sexual liaisons with notables to advance his career, how she was disinherited by her family, and how her disappointed husband later threw her out of doors. In London her experiences include writing poetry for various clients, opening a pamphlet shop with the help of , and being imprisoned for debt. She also writes about her friendships with Jonathan Swift, and Colley Cibber, her views on contemporary women writers including Catherine Phillips (Reel 8), and her unfavourable impression of Sir Hans Sloane. She was the target of a satirical pamphlet A Parallel between Mrs Pilkington and Mrs Phillips, Written by an Oxford Scholar.

PILKINGTON, Laetitia other works included:

Biography for Girls; or, Moral and Instructive Examples for the Female Sex. London 1800 Third edition

Biography for Boys: or, Characteristic Histories: Calculated to Impress the Youthful Mind. London 1799

REEL 10

PIOZZI, Hester Lynch Thrale (née Salusbury), 1741-1821. Autobiography, Letters and Literary Remains of Mrs Piozzi (Thrale). Editor A Hayward, Esq QC. London 1861 2 vols {757}

This memoir of Hester Piozzi was written late in life, and was her fourth attempt at self-documentation. Written in a characteristically fragmentary style it contains non-chronological, selective reminiscences, from childhood to age 60. Piozzi recalls her childhood to age 19 living with her family at the great estate of her mother’s wealthy brother, Thomas; 1762 her uncle deciding she should marry Henry Thrale, a wealthy brewer; her feelings of sacrifice to a man she didn’t love and her life of pregnancy and domesticity; 1764 meeting with Samuel Johnson who stimulated her intellectually; 1780 meeting Gabriel Piozzi, an Italian musician; 1781 death of Mr Thrale; criticism by ‘Mr Thrales’ daughters and society of the Italian Catholic suitor, Piozzi; the author and Piozzi forced to leave England because of debts; 1784 Piozzi and the author marry; 1789 author and husband are welcomed on their return to England. Hester Piozzi, literary hostess in the circle of Samuel Johnson and a member of the Bluestockings knew James Boswell, Fanny Burney, Elizabeth Montagu and Ann Finch. Her works include Anecdotes of the Late Samuel Johnson, LLD., During the Last Twenty Years of His Life, A Series of Letters on Courtship and Marriage.

ROBERTSON, Hannah, (1724-c.1800) The Life of Mrs Robertson, Grand-Daughter of Charles II. Written by Herself. Derby 1791 {794} Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

Hannah Robertson was born in , Scotland. Her father was the illegitimate son of Charles II, and took the name Swan, her mother was Ann Huntington. Her life narrative which records her descent from affluence to poverty was written as a plea for friendship and financial support from the Marchioness of Strafford, 1720-90s. Her memoirs include her father’s personal history and his marriage to her mother; mourning the death of her fiancé Captain B Flanders; the reported death of her second fiancé Captain J; discovering on the eve of her wedding to Mr Robertson that Captain J is still alive, but going through with the wedding, and her unhappiness in marriage. Husband’s chronic illness, financial debt, and loss of their social status. Author’s managing a tavern in Aberdeen for the Freemasons; working in a boarding school in York; opening a shop for fancy- work in London with her daughter. Robertson’s narrative gives much information on 18th century institutions and attitudes towards women and the poor in society.

ROBINSON, Mary ‘Perdita’ (née Darby), 1758-1800 Memoirs of the Late Mrs Robinson, Written by Herself. Editor, Mary Elizabeth Robinson, author’s daughter. London 1801. 4 vols {795}

Mary Robinson was born in Bristol, Avon to middle class parents John Darby, an American whaling captain, and Mary Seys. Her memoirs, from childhood to c.1785, recount her life as an 18th century actress, poet and novelist, and describe her love affairs and intellectual friendships. Her memoirs include details of her father’s financial ruin resulting from his failed whaling fishery off the Labrador coast; her boarding school education under the sisters of Hannah More 1768; her marriage to articled clerk, Thomas Robinson, an unfaithful spendthrift 1774; being in a debtors’ prison with her family; 1775 published her first volume of poems 1775; the author’s stage career and support from David Garrick and Richard Brinsley; being the mistress of George IV, after he saw her in the role of ‘Perdita’ in The Winter’s Tale 1778-80; receiving financial help from other lovers and the Duchess of Devonshire; being paralyzed from the waist down following a miscarriage c.1783; to support herself writing novels and pamphlets. Robinson’s narrative is completed from 1785 to her death, by Mary Elizabeth Robinson, her daughter. Other works by Robinson include the anti-Catholic novel Hubert de Sevrac (1796) and The Widow, Thoughts on the Conditions of Women (1799).

REEL 11

SCHIMMELPENNICK, Mary Anne (née Galton), 1778-1856 The Life of Mary Anne SchimmelPennick. Editor Christiana C Hankin. 1858 London 2 vols {826}

Mary Schimmelpennick known as being an essayist, religious/spiritual writer, pamphleteer, poet and abolitionist describes her upbringing to adulthood during the late 18th century, 1778-92; a period of political and spiritual upheaval. Her father, Samuel Galton, was cousin to the Darwins, and an amateur naturalist practising botany and astronomy. Her mother, Lucy Barclay, had spiritual ‘talkings’ with her daughter on Sundays, encouraging her daughter’s intellectual questioning. Schimmelpennick describes how she was given devotional literature and classics, including Voltaire, Molière and Swift; fairy tales were not allowed. Being taught by her parents the Quaker values of non-violence, compassion, dislike of ostentation and frivolity, and antagonism to slavery. During her mother’s illness she is attended by Dr Erasmus Darwin, and the author details his medical views, his agnosticism and excessive eating. The author’s suffering spinal problems, chronic pain, treatment and wearing a spinal brace. Discussing the French Revolution including the French royal family, the challenge to the political and class structure, and the effect of the revolution on the rest of Europe. Her mother’s decline, her own chronic illness and the Revolution cause her to begin to doubt God’s existence. Schimmelpennick’s narrative reveals contemporary views about government, education, slavery and animal rights.

SHERWOOD, Mary Martha (née Butt), 1775-1851 The Life of Mrs Sherwood , Chiefly Autobiographical, with Extracts from Mr Sherwood’s Journal. Editor Sophia Kelly, author’s daughter. 1854 {843}

Mary Sherwood, prolific 19th century writer of over 350 novels, children’s books, and religious instruction details her full life from childhood, through marriage, and her life as a colonialist in India, c.1780-1854. The author describes a happy childhood with her family, father Dr George Butt, chaplain to George III, and mother Martha Sherwood. Aged 6 her mother copies down her invented stories, and aged 13 she is writing and staging plays for her parents. Reflecting on fashion and manners in the 1770s and 1850s, and anecdotes of court ladies when her father is court chaplain. She describes her interest in the writings of Hannah More ‘to instruct the poor in religion, morals and practicalities’. 1802 publishing her first work Susan Gray. Marrying Henry Sherwood, infantry captain, recalling her life ‘following the camp’, leaving her baby daughter in the care of her mother and travelling to India, 1805. In India recognising Indian custom and religion, but believing a need to bring them out of their ‘heathen superstitions’. Enthusiasm for British colonial rule. 1816 returning to England, death of mother, and author assuming role as head of family. Sherwood’s biography shows a remarkable strength of character, and today she is best remembered for her writings, in particular The Fairchild Family, 1847.

REEL 12

SIDDONS, Sarah (née Kemble), 1755-1831 Memoirs of Mrs Siddons interspersed with anecdotes of authors and actors. By James Boden, Esq. London 1827 2 vols {846}

Sarah Siddons, actress, wrote her brief memoir in the last year of her life, aged 75. Siddons grew up in a family with theatrical associations: Roger Kemble, her father, was a theatrical manager, and her brother, John Philip Kemble, an actor. Written in a style of ‘good humour, education and taste’ the author relates her conversations with numerous celebrities. Siddons’s memoirs include her early acting career, 1773-1784; marrying, aged 19; receiving good reviews for her role in The Fair Penitent; taking the role of Portia in David Garrick’s Drury Lane acting company, 1775. Being celebrated for her performance as Isabella in Garrick’s adaptation of Southerne’s Fatal Marriage; sitting for the celebrated painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Mrs Siddons as the Tragic Muse; After 1803 acting with her brother at ; her most famous success as Lady Macbeth, a role she last played in 1812.

TALBOT, Mary Anne (John Taylor, pseud), 1778-1808 The Life and Surprising Adventure of Mary Anne Taylor in the name of John Taylor, a natural daughter of the late Earl Talbot. Related by herself. Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

London 1809 [929]

Written in a literate style Talbot’s melodramatic narrative contains both real and fictional examples of her life and adventures as the male character, John Taylor, and as such belongs to the 18th century genre of sensational memoirs. Talbot describes her colourful life as a sailor on board English and French ships, travelling to the West Indies disguised as a foot boy, being forcibly conscripted by the crew of a French ship, the distress at having to fight against her own countrymen, and being wounded. Travelling to New York on a cargo ship as a cabin steward, Captain’s daughter falling in love with Talbot, and author being forced to reveal her sex. Talbot also experiences life as a prison inmate, stage actress, seamstress, domestic servant and jeweller’s assistant. As a cross-dressing narrative Talbot’s memoirs can usefully be compared with the autobiography, A Narrative of the Life of Mrs Charlotte Charke, Daughter of Colley Cibber (Reel 3). Whether fictional or true Talbot’s account raises the 18th century social issue about how women, without traditional male protection, survived in a patriarchal society.

TURNER, Joanna (née Cook), 1732-1785 Memoir of Mrs Joanna Turner, as exemplified in her Life, Death, and Spiritual Experience. Preface by Rev D Bogue, DD. London 1820 {960}

Joanna Turner, Methodist cottage preacher, describes the early years of her life to young adulthood, 1730s-c.1750. She recalls experiencing an unhappy childhood ‘through my proud passionate disposition’; being disciplined by her mother’s brother; receiving religious teaching from her mother; sensing mother’s concern about her soul; mother’s death, author aged 8. Following mother’s death the author experiencing anxiety, praying seven times a day and reading spiritual material, but keeping a love of fine clothes. Aunts persuading father to send author, aged 12, to genteel boarding school; author no longer reads Bible and ceases to pray; reads and writes romances, novels and plays. Father remarries and author returns home; stepmother’s dislike and severe discipline of author; father’s death, author aged 17. Author living with devout Methodist family, and conversion experience.

WALKER, Elizabeth, 1623-1690 The Holy Life of Mrs Elizabeth Walker: giving a modest and short account of her exemplary piety and charity. By Anthony Walker, DD. London 1823 First published 1690. New edition, abridged and revised by Rev J W Brooks.

The autobiography of Elizabeth Walker describes her life from childhood to 1690. Her memoirs include details of her parentage and temptation; the manner is which she usually spent her time including her annual visit to Tunbridge Wells; the author’s character as a mother; the deaths of her daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, and Mrs Margaret Cox; the way the author kept her Wedding Day; her character as a Christian, and her thoughts on patience, pity to the poor, judgement, and tenderness of conscience.

Contents of Reels - Part 2

REEL 13

BRAY, Anna Eliza (née Kempe), 1790-1883 Autobiography of Anna Eliza Bray. 1884 {146}

BRAY, Anna Eliza Letters written during a Tour through Normandy, Britanny and other parts of France in 1818. 1828

BURLEND, Rebecca (née Burton), 1793-1872 A True Picture of Emigration; or fourteen years in the Interior of North America. [1848] {177}

CAMERON, Lucy Lyttleton (née Butt), 1781-1858 The Life of Mrs Cameron: Partly an Autobiography, and from her Private Journals etc. 1861 {195}

REEL 14

DAVIS, Elizabeth Cadwaladyr, 1789-1860 The Autobiography of Elizabeth Davis, a Balaclava Nurse, Daughter of Dafydd Cadwaladyr. 1857 2 vols {280}

FREEMAN, Anne (née Mason), 1797-1826 A Memoir of the Life and Ministry of Anne Freeman, A Faithful Servant of Jesus Christ, Written by Herself. And an Account of Her Death by Her Husband, Henry Freeman. 1826 {362}

REEL 15

GILBERT, Ann (née Taylor), 1782-1866 Autobiography and Other Memorials of Mrs Gilbert (formerly Ann Taylor). 1874 2 vols {382}

GRANT, Elizabeth, 1797-1885 Memoirs of a Highland Lady. The Autobiography of Elizabeth Grant of Rothiemurchus, afterwards Mrs Smith of Baltiboys. 1898 {408}

REEL 16

HAM, Elizabeth, 1783-c.1852 Elizabeth Ham, by herself, 1783-1820. 1945 {432}

HOWITT, Mary (née Botham), 1799-1889 Mary Howitt, an Autobiography 1889 2 vols {471}

HOWITT, Mary My Own Story. Autobiography of a Child. 1849

REEL 17

JAMESON, Anna Brownell (née Murphy), 1794-1860 Visits and sketches at Home and Abroad by Mrs Jameson, including the Diary of an Ennuyé, a new edition. 1834 4 vols {499}

REEL 18

JAMESON, Anna Brownell Social Life in Germany illustrated in the Acted Dramas of Her Royal Highness the Princess Amelia of Saxony. 1840 2 vols

LUTTON, Anne, 1791-1881 Memorials of a Consecrated Life: compiled from the Autobiography, Letters and Diaries of Anne Lutton. 1882 {596}

REEL 19

MITFORD, Mary Russell, 1787-1855 The Life of Mary Russell Mitford. 1870. 3 vols

MURRAY, the Hon. Amelia Mathilda, 1795-1844 Recollections from 1803-1837, with a conclusion in 1868. 1868 {685}

REEL 20

MURRAY, the Hon. Amelia Matilda Letters from the United States, Cuba and Canada. 1856. 2 vols

PARKS, Fanny (née Frances Susannah Archer), 1794-1875 Wanderings of a Pilgrim in Search of the Picturesque. 1850. 2 vols. Volume 1 {735} Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

REEL 21

PARKS, Fanny Wanderings of a Pilgrim in Search of the Picturesque. 1850. 2 vols. Volume 2

POTTER, Louisa, c.1800-? Lancashire Memories. 1879 {765}

SIBBALD, Susan (née Mein), 1783-1866 The Memoirs of Susan Sibbald (1783-1812). 1926 {845}

REEL 22

SOMERVILLE, Mary (née Fairfax), 1780-1872 Personal Recollections, from Early Life to Old Age of Mary Somerville. 1873 {877}

TONNA, Charlotte Elizabeth (née Browne), 1790-1846 Personal Recollections by Charlotte Elizabeth. 1841 {948}

WAKE, Charlotte Murdoch, Lady (née Tait), 1800-1888 The Reminiscences of Charlotte, Lady Wake. 1909 {985}

Detailed Listing - Part 2

REEL 13

BRAY, Anna Eliza (née Kempe), 1790-1883 Autobiography of Anna Eliza Bray. Editor John A Kempe. London 1884 {146}

Romantic novelist, Anna Bray, was born in Newington, Surrey to parents John Kempe, landlord and bullion porter, and mother, Ann Arrow, a middle class family. Bray’s autobiography records her family childhood and friendships with Romantic- era writers and artists, 1790s-1843. Her narrative includes descriptions of a ‘very miscellaneous education at home’; her brief marriage to Charles Stodhard, artist and son of the historical painter, Thomas Stodhard; a journey to Normandy and the publication of her letters home to her mother; receiving good reviews and deciding on a writing career. Great sorrow at tragic death of husband; publishing a biography of Thomas Stodhard in memory of her husband. Modelling her writings on the works of Sir Walter Scott; receiving friendship and encouragement from ; assessing the works of Daniel Defoe and Samuel Richardson; questioning the morality of works by Jean Jacques Rousseau and Madame de Staël. Confiding inspirations of her novels; helping Mary Collings to get her poetry published. Courtship and marriage to Edward Atkyns Bray, vicar. Bray’s autobiography ends with the death of Southey, which seems to have been a close for Bray of the Romantic literary era in which she flourished.

BRAY, Anna Eliza Other work included:

Letters written during a Tour through Normandy, Britanny, and other parts of France, in 1818. London 1820

BURLEND, Rebecca (née Burton), 1793-1872 A True Picture of Emigration; or fourteen years in the Interior of North America. London [1848] {177}

In her autobiography Rebecca Burlend describes her life, ages 38-53, as an emigrant farmer, in mid-19th century America, with her husband, John Burlend, and their children. In 1831 the general economic depression and repressive Corn Laws meant farmers in England were hungry and poor. The narrative includes details of the voyage from Liverpool to New Orleans, and by flatboat on the Mississippi river to St Louis. Homesteading in Pike County, Illinois; the legal details of homesteading; the county’s climate, vegetation and wildlife; making their own furniture, candles and soap; hunting, fence building and cattle raising. Suffering difficulties, including harvesting with only her 9 year old son when husband was injured, and losing part of a crop to fire. Discussing education; contrasting English and American Methodist religion; achieving greater prosperity; advising potential emigrants that it is no shame to leave England for America. Burlend’s account, which was a best seller when published, was written down by her son Edward, a schoolmaster and poet.

CAMERON, Lucy Lyttleton (née Butt), 1781-1858 The Life of Mrs Cameron: partly an Autobiography, and from her Private Journals, etc. Editor Charles Cameron, author’s eldest son. London 1861 {195}

Lucy Cameron was the daughter of Dr George Butt, county rector and chaplain to George III, and Martha Sherwood. Her sister was Mary Martha Butt Sherwood, author, missionary and social worker, and her brother an Anglican clergyman. Cameron, author of children’s literature and advice to mothers, based her writings on moral lessons learned during her upbringing and youth, and her works include Margaret White and The Two Lambs. Her narrative covers the period 1780s- 1858. She writes about her childhood reading, including some books with questionable morals; advising parents to protect children by controlling what books they read; the excellent education of author’s brother at Westminster public school; her own education at Reading being harmful to her religious sense, ages 11-17. Riding circuit with her brother; meeting the Rev R C Cameron, her future husband on these journeys. Travelling to Bristol and Bath and visiting reformer Hannah More; ‘lamenting men’s freedom to determine women’s fate, but believing it wrong to challenge ‘divinely-ordained’ distinctions of class, age, gender and rank.’ Cameron’s work provides much information on children’s education, Anglican parish history, and women’s assent of their subordinate role in late 18th century society.

REEL 14

DAVIS, Elizabeth Cadwaladyr, 1789-1860 The Autobiography of Elizabeth Davis, a Balaclava Nurse, Daughter of Dafydd Cadwaladyr. Editor Jane Williams. London 1857 2 vols {280}

The narrative of Elizabeth Davis describes her life as a Welsh domestic servant, nurse in the Crimean War, Sunday school teacher, and world traveller, from birth to 1857. Her improbable memoirs contain accounts of her travel adventures to countries including India, Australia, the West Indies, China, and South America. The author describes ‘voyaging to Rio de Janeiro; while there, seeing a friend murdered; discussing the murderer’s execution on a rack. Being kidnapped by an infatuated Barbosa; escaping on foot to Rio; arriving just in time to board the Foremans’ outward-bound ship’. Receiving numerous marriage proposals ‘escaping one suitor by his death at sea; escaping another by running away to London; escaping a third suitor by signing on as a nursemaid to family of Captain Smith’. Whether real or imaginary Davis’s adventures ‘paint a vivid, if romanticized, panorama of the British empire in the first half of the 19th century’.

FREEMAN, Anne, (née Mason), 1797-1826. A Memoir of the Life and Ministry of Anne Freeman, a Faithful Servant of Jesus Christ, Written by Herself. And an Account of Her Death by Her Husband, Henry Freeman. London 1826 {362}

The religious conversion of Anne Freeman is retold in her narrative from childhood to age 20. Born in Devonshire Freeman was the daughter of farmer, William Mason and Grace, her mother. Her memoirs describe how she was taught the Anglican catechism by her parents; being forbidden to read religious tracts as they may make her melancholy; attending Methodist Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

revival meetings, age 14; illness with consumption, contemplation of death and taking confirmation in the Church of England; attending meetings of Arminian Bible Christians (Bryanites), age 20; commencing Methodist public preaching, age 20. Reading the journal of George Fox, founder of the Quakers, joining the Society of Friends, and public preaching with her husband in Ireland. Freeman’s memoir gives valuable information about Nonconformist denominations, and the importance of itinerant women preachers in egalitarian religions. The memoir also includes diary entries and letters.

REEL 15

GILBERT, Ann (née Taylor), 1782-1866 Autobiography and Other Memorials of Mrs Gilbert (formerly Ann Taylor) Editor Josiah Gilbert. London 1847 2 vols {382}

In this pre-marriage memoir Ann Gilbert, describes her home education, religious identity, and collaborative ventures as writers and engravers with her sister Jane, 1780s-1813. Author’s grandfather, Isaac Taylor, being the 18th century engraver, art publisher and literary host. Author’s father continuing as engraver and publisher, as well as a Congregationalist minister; father teaching his daughters engraving and paying them room, board and wages, in belief that they should be self- supporting. Author’s family suffering from the English persecution of Nonconformists in 1794, sparked by fear of the role of the Huguenots in the French Revolution. Author’s strong defence of spinsterhood, arguing that unmarried daughters often forgo marriage for unselfish reasons; unmarried daughters being important in the welfare of aged parents; reproaching fathers for their belittlement of spinsterhood. In childhood the sisters enjoying writing verses and reading poetry including Isaac Watts’s pious verses, Swift’s satires and Wordsworth’s poetry. Author and Jane working together on Original Poems for Infant Minds, 1804. Writing introductions and reviews for Anna Laetitia Barbauld and Maria Edgeworth. Many of Gilbert’s verses and letters are bound together with her autobiography. This astute narrative allows an insight into late 18th century and early 19th century cultural history.

GRANT, Elizabeth, 1797-1885 Memoirs of a Highland Lady. The Autobiography of Elizabeth Grant of Rothiemurchus afterwards Mrs Smith of Baltiboys, 1797-1830. Editor Lady Strachey. London 1898 {408}

Elizabeth Grant was the daughter of Sir John Peter Grant, landowner, lawyer and MP, and mother, Jane Ironside. Her narrative describes intimate personal and family memories and observations on contemporary ideas and opinions, society and travel. Volume 1: Family history and growing up in London in an upper class household; author and siblings being under the charge of a nursemaid and governess; parents neglect of children’s delicate health; severe discipline by father whereby siblings starved of food for up to 30 hours; author having been shy and misunderstood by parents who thought her wicked. Mentioning illegitimate children of grandfather, great-uncle and among family servants. Discussing the disruptive influence of young Percy Bysshe Shelley on Oxford University; father’s election as MP for Great Grimsby; the family returning to Scotland, 1812. Volume 2: Authors attending balls and being courted by beaux; a family ball being disrupted by a mob protesting against her father’s support of the Corn Law; The family travelling to Holland, Belgium and France, 1819; the family moving to India when father appointed to judgeship in Bombay, 1827. Author’s marriage to Colonel Henry Smith and their honeymoon voyage to Ceylon, Mauritius and England, 1830. Living in Dublin. Grant’s memoirs which contain anecdotes of friends and acquaintances was intended for family reading.

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HAM, Elizabeth, 1783-c.1852 Elizabeth Ham by herself, 1783-1820. Editor Eric Gillett. London. 1945. {432}

Elizabeth Ham’s memoir contains copious details of her personal life intermixed with important historical events, and other people’s reactions to them. Her need for sympathy is evident in all her relationships. Her memoir covers the first forty years of her life and describes visiting her parents, and her mother’s favouritism for Anne, author’s sister; mother’s harshness towards author. Father and uncle enlisting in yeomanry; recalling King George III’s visit to family farm and brewery; travelling with parents through Ireland in search of cheap grain for brewery. Author’s attending military balls and being courted by Mr Jackson, a military officer; his exposure as an unfaithful cad. Noting changes in women’s education, 1790s- 1830s; writing The Infants’ Grammar, 1820. Ham’s narrative reveals contemporary attitudes towards love, marriage and patriotism. She also wrote Elgiva or the Monks, 1824 and The Ford Family in Ireland, 1845.

HOWITT, Mary (née Botham), 1799-1889 Mary Howitt an Autobiography. Editor Margaret Howitt, author’s daughter. London 1889 2 vols {471}

Born in Staffordshire Mary Howitt was the daughter of Samuel Botham, land surveyor, and Ann Wood. Her memoir describes her Quaker upbringing, marriage and motherhood, as well as her literary interests, social reform and her spiritual journey towards Catholicism, 1805-1884. Volume 1 includes being taught the Quaker religion by her parents; parents entrusting their children's general education to God; mother’s withdrawing from her children, and author’s studying with a governess; father insisting upon author and author’s sister the teaching of poor children. Friendship and marriage with William Howitt, writer, social commentator and poet, 1821; working with husband on literary projects including Howitt’s Journal of Literary and Popular Press. Author’s interest in the ideas of Robert Owen, social reformer; support for the Reform Bill, 1832. Taking her children to Germany for a better education. Volume 2: discusses the editing of the Drawing-Room Scrap-Book journal. Learning Danish and translating works of Hans Christian Anderson, and her friendship with him. Her friendships with Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Christina Rossetti and Tennyson. Her interest in American anti-slavery issues. Changing her negative views on Catholicism and her conversion. Although an early active campaigner for women’s rights this is not discussed in her autobiography. Howitt’s childhood autobiography, My Own Story, Autobiography of a Child (1856) describes English rural life in a pre-industrial world.

HOWITT, Mary Other work included:

My Own Story. Autobiography of a Child. London. 1849 Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

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JAMESON, Anna Brownell (née Murphy), 1794-1860 Visits and Sketches at Home and Abroad by Mrs Jameson including Diary of an Ennuyée. A new edition. London 1834 4 volumes {499}

Anna Jameson was born in Dublin, Ireland and was the daughter of Dennis Brownell Murphy, Irish miniature painter, her English mother is not named. She married in 1825 to Robert Jameson, a London barrister and later chancellor, afterwards speaker of the House of Assembly in ; they separated in 1837. She was an art and literary critic, author, cultural historian, pamphleteer, feminist and governess. Jameson knew Fanny Kemble, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Jane Welsh Carlyle, Barbara Bodichon and Lady Noel Byron. Her experiences touring Europe as a governess gave her the material for Diary of an Ennuyée (1834). Her other works include A Lady’s Diary (1825), Characteristics of Women (1832), Relative Position of Mothers and Governesses (1846), Sacred and Legendary Art (1848-1860) and Winter Studies and Summer Rambles in Canada (1838).

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JAMESON, Anna Brownell Other work included:

Social Life in Germany, illustrated in the Acted Dramas of her Royal Highness the Princess Amelia of Saxony by Mrs Jameson. London 1840 2 vols

LUTTON, Anne, 1791-1881 Memorials of a Consecrated Life: compiled from the Autobiography, Letters and Diaries of Anne Lutton. London 1882 {596}

Anne Lutton’s memoir written in a lively, formal style describes her personal and family memories and experiences, from childhood to young adulthood. Lutton’s narrative maintains a high moral tone throughout, and includes discussion on serious religious questions. The author was born in County Down, Ireland and her father was Ralph Lutton, classical scholar and linguist, and mother Anne Lutton. The memoirs include the author’s Anglican and Methodist education; learning to write from her older brother; her love of literature and reading novels in secret against her parents’ wishes; wanting to be a writer and experimenting with genres. Teaching herself Latin, Greek, and other ancient and modern languages; wanting to learn about metaphysics and moral and religious truth; discussing questions about God’s existence. Leading Methodist women’s meetings in Ireland. Lutton’s memoir written in 1834 reflects her considerable learning and includes letters and diary extracts up to 1863, and a biographical commentary until 1881. Wrote Poems on Moral and Religious Subjects, 1829.

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MITFORD, Mary Russell, 1787-1855 The Life of Mary Russell Mitford. Editor Rev A G L’Estrange. London 1870 3 vols {666}

Memoir of an upper middle class novelist, poet and playwright. Mary Russell Mitford was the daughter of George Mitford, physician and Mary Russell, heiress. The author describes personal and family memories, and friendships with literary figures, from childhood to 1851. She records her parents’ courtship; father’s tendency to alienate prospective patients through zealous Whig politics; father’s financial losses through gambling and bad investments; his alienation of rich wife’s cousin. Buying a lottery ticket with father on author’s 10th birthday, and winning £20,000. Education at London private school, ages 10-15; being shut in school library to force her to learn piano and harp, reading Molière instead. Father’s using lottery winnings for extensive gambling and wickedness resulting in poverty of author’s family, c.1817. Author’s friendship with poet John Kenyon and his wife who encourage her writing talent; friendship with Elizabeth Barrett Browning; visiting Great Exhibition in London, 1851. The memoir provides contemporary views towards women writing professionally, as well as glimpses of women writers now forgotten. Mitford’s works include: Miscellaneous Poems (1810), country life sketches in Our Village (1819), the novel Belford Regis (1835) and the play Foscari: A Tragedy (1826).

MURRAY, the Hon. Amelia Mathilda, 1799-1884 Recollections from 1803-1837, with a conclusion in 1868. London 1868 {685}

The memoir of the Hon. Amelia Murray was written when the author was age 60, and contains youthful memories of friendships with King George III, members of the royal family and aristocracy. Written in conversational style it contains gossip and anecdotes from author’s birth to 1860. Murray was the daughter of Lord George Murray, Bishop of St David’s, director of telegraph at the Admiralty, and Annie Grant, lady-in-waiting to two of George III’s daughters. Her memoirs include her ancestry and family history; father’s death 1803; her social debut; meeting George III and the royal family, 1805, when mother was appointed lady-in-waiting; discussing the flogging of the king’s two eldest sons; the king’s supposed madness. Receiving a gown from the queen; author’s friendship with Princess Charlotte and her belief that the princess died from starvation. Further details, not contained in the memoir include the author’s being an original member of the Children’s Friend Society, 1830; being a maid of honour to Queen Victoria, 1837; being an intimate friend of Lady Byron; and being an active anti-slavery advocate.

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MURRAY, The Hon. Amelia Mathilda Other work included:

Letters from the United States, Cuba and Canada. 1856 2 vols

PARKS, Fanny, (née Frances Susannah Archer), 1794-1875 Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

Wanderings of a Pilgrim in Search of the Picturesque. London 1850. 2 vols Volume 1 {735}

Fanny Parks was born in Conwy, Wales and was the daughter of William Archer, 16th Lancers, and Anne. She married Charles Crawford Parks, writer for the East India Company. Her detailed memoirs written in a lively style reveal her independence of mind. Parks allows a colonial perspective of India, its peoples and customs, recording changes in Britain’s governing of India, the economic impact of such policies, and domestic problems in Indian society, 1822-45. She describes attending colonial activities in Calcutta; learning Hindustani; farming at Allahbad. Describing Muslim customs; a history of Hindu theology; Methodism as found in higher native social classes. Europeans’ lack of respect for Indian culture. Famine in Kanauj; travelling over mountains from Landowr to Simla; Discussing laws governing married women in England as unfair. Describing Delhi; natural beauty of Indian scenery. Benares: snake charmers, temples, sugar mills. Describing Afghani peoples and customs. Parks’s narrative reflects her admiration and respect for the richness of Indian culture. The memoir includes a glossary of terms and a collection of translated Indian proverbs.

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PARKS, Fanny Wanderings of a Pilgrim in Search of the Picturesque. London 1850. 2 vols Volume 2

POTTER, Louisa, c.1800-? Lancashire Memories. London 1879 {765}

Louisa Potter was raised in Riverton, Lancashire, and details of her parents are not known. Her memoir describes her education in Lancashire and extended family, and further education in London at a genteel ladies’ school, c.1810-25. The narrative is organised by topic rather than chronologically, and contains satirical names to disguise the identity of characters discussed, for example ‘Mrs Ruleit’ is the headmistress. Memories of youthful relationships and a rural environment are written with nostalgia. Contemporary early 19th century social realties are written with a realism, and include discussions about the inequality between boys’ and girls’ education, cottage industry, labour unrest, and class divisions.

SIBBALD, Susan (née Mein), 1783-1866 The Memoirs of Susan Sibbald (1783-1812). Editor Francis Paget Hett, author’s great-grandson. London 1926 {845}

Susan Sibbald’s memoir recalls her life from childhood to early married life as a woman born and married into military families, from birth to 1812. Born in Fowey, Sibbald was the daughter of Dr Thomas Mein, Royal Navy and Margaret Ellis. In 1807 she married Lt. Col. William Sibbald. Moving in upper class military circles the author’s narrative provides a woman’s perspective on contemporary political and military events during the French and Napoleonic Wars, as well as personal anecdotes about people and social customs. She also describes how military events governed the movements of her personal life. Sibbald’s narrative includes memories of her mother and sisters and life in a Cornish town on the Channel coast. Outbreak of war with France, author aged 10; father’s being appointed inspector of naval ships at Devonport; meeting Admiral Sidney Smith, who later defeated Napoleon’s navy in Egypt. Attending Sophia Lee’s boarding school in Bath, noting contemporary modes of medical treatment, dress and travel. Leaving school to join family in London, and entering society, aged 17. Living in Yorkshire with husband’s regiment, and regimental social activities. Moving to Jersey when Napoleon threatened invasion of the Channel Islands. The memoir ends with author aged 29, and extracts from her letters which are appended to the memoir include details about the Crimean War, the Fenian Raids in Canada, and the American Civil War.

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SOMERVILLE, Mary (née Fairfax), 1780-1872 Personal Recollections, from Early Life to Old Age, of Mary Somerville. Editor Martha Somerville, author’s daughter. London 1873 {877}

Mary Somerville, astronomer, scientist and geographer, charts her life from childhood to old age, spanning over ninety years, through the Georgian and Victorian eras. She describes the contemporary prejudice she faced as a woman with a scientific mind, an intellectual who was viewed as a social oddity, and her struggle to overcome such attitudes. Her memoir describes how her Calvinist mother taught her to read using the Bible, receiving a set of Euclid and an algebra text from her brother’s tutor; father believing that girls who pored over studies were liable to madness. Marrying her cousin, William Somerville, who encouraged her studies; writing an article in the Quarterly Review; anticipating return of Halley’s Comet, 1835. Extracts of letters from Sir John Herschel and Professor Peacock; having the honour of a bust of herself placed in the Royal Society; George IV granting her a pension. Publishing Mechanism of the Heavens; writing On the Connexion of the Physical Sciences, 1834. Befriending Italian astronomer Padre Vico; friendship with Michael Faraday. Publishing Physical Geography, 1848. Long friendship with Frances Power Cobbe. Her lifelong desire for female equality; joining a petition to the Senate of London University, urging that women be granted degrees. After her death, in recognition of her achievements a new women’s college at Oxford University was named Somerville Hall, in her honour. TONNA, Charlotte Elizabeth (née Brown), 1790-1846 Personal Recollections by Charlotte Elizabeth London 1841 {948}

Charlotte Tonna, an evangelical Protestant, relates her life from birth to 1836, the year she started the Christian Lady’s Magazine. Tonna was the daughter of Michael Browne, Anglican rector, her mother is not named. The author was a religious/spiritual writer, novelist, children's author, anti-Catholic religionist, and social reformer. Her memoirs include being educated in her father’s study; his Tory friends discussing political issues there. Teaching herself to write, aged 7; being excited by romantic literature and the sensuality of music, until dosing with mercury made her permanently deaf, aged 10. Father’s condemning the Repeal of the Test Act, which had excluded Catholics from holding parliamentary office. Author’s moving to Ireland with husband; personal experience reversing her prejudice against the ’discontented and malignant’ Irish; husband abandoning her in Kilkenny, 1821. Writing religious tracts to save her soul from sin; becoming friends with Hannah More, founder of the Religious Tract Society; choosing to write under pseudonym ‘Charlotte Elizabeth’ to stop her estranged husband from claiming her earnings. Reaction to the Catholic Emancipation Act, 1829; circulating petitions, writings, and lobbying men to take anti-Catholic action. In 1836 Tonna began writing social problem novels including, Helen Fleetwood Womens Autobiographies, Parts 1 and 2

(1841), and the non-fiction book Perils of the Nation (1843) which was to later influence parliamentary social reforms.

WAKE, Charlotte Murdoch, Lady (née Tait), 1800-1888 The Reminiscences of Charlotte, Lady Wake. Editor Lucy Wake. and London 1909 {985}

The memoir of Charlotte Murdoch Wake takes the form of a family biography describing family members’ interconnections with political and religious events in the nineteenth century, 1800-87. In particular, she records the rise of her brother, Archie, to Archbishop of Canterbury, a powerful and influential figure. Wake was the daughter of Craufurd Tait of Harviestoun, Scottish landowner, and Susan Campbell. Wake describes her father’s inheriting the family estate, 1800; witnessing George III’s 50-year Jubilee celebrations, 1810; her mother’s sudden death, 1814; author accompanying sister on Highland honeymoon, and residing with them in London, 1818. Author’s marriage to Charles Wake, later Sir Charles Wake. Archie’s rise at Oxford: his classics degree, fellowship, tutorship and Anglican ordination, 1836; Archie succeeding Thomas Arnold as headmaster of Rugby, 1842. Deaths of five of author’s daughters in scarlet fever epidemic, 1855. Heroism of author’s son in India during 1857 Mutiny; deaths of husband and one son, 1863-64. Archie becomes Archbishop of Canterbury, 1868; author’s assuming official domestic duties for him at Lambeth Palace; author being personally consoled by Queen Victoria following death of Archie. In this memoir Wake records death through illness and disease in a matter-of-fact manner, in a period before modern medicine. Wake’s entire family died during her lifetime, including her 7 daughters and 6 sons.