Barbara Hofland
Encyclopedia
Barbara Hofland was an English writer of some 66 didactic
, moral stories for children, and of schoolbooks and poetry.
manufacturer, but he died when she was three and she was raised by a maiden aunt. She began writing for the local paper and started a milliner's shop, but she sold it when she married the businessman Thomas Bradshawe Hoole in 1796, only to be widowed two years later with an infant son.
She went to live with her mother-in-law in Attercliffe
, and supported herself partly from generous subscriptions given for a book of her poetry. In 1809 she opened a girls' boarding school at Grove House, Harrogate
, developing it as a ladies finishing school
, a forerunner to what is now Harrogate College
. But she kept it only until 1811, when she moved to London.
In 1810 she married landscape artist, Thomas Christopher Hofland
(1777–1843). Although her new husband had a good local reputation and had exhibited at the Royal Academy
, his wife's writings were to remain the main source of family income. In 1816 she was living in Newman Street, north of Oxford Street
,, but they moved to Twickenham
that year.
Her son Frederic, an Anglican
priest, predeceased her in 1832, as did her husband in 1843. She died in on November 4, 1844 and was buried at Richmond, Surrey. Her life by Thomas Ramsay was published in 1849.
, who asked her to provide a description of his museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields
, and of the writers Maria Edgeworth
and Mary Russell Mitford
. Her first story, The History of an Officer's Widow (1809), earned her £6 from John Harris, a London publisher. One of her many popular books (as Mrs. Hofland) was The Blind Farmer and His Children (1816). Most of her works depict the struggles of a Christian family against hardships. Her Tales of the Priory (1820), Tales of the Manor (1822) and Self-Denial (1835) can be read online, as can The Young Crusoe (1828),, and a number of others..
She also wrote geographical and topographical books for teaching purposes, and a longer work in verse: A Season at Harrogate (1812).
Didacticism
Didacticism is an artistic philosophy that emphasizes instructional and informative qualities in literature and other types of art. The term has its origin in the Ancient Greek word διδακτικός , "related to education/teaching." Originally, signifying learning in a fascinating and intriguing...
, moral stories for children, and of schoolbooks and poetry.
Life
Born Barbara Wreaks or Wreakes, her father Robert Wreakes was a SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
manufacturer, but he died when she was three and she was raised by a maiden aunt. She began writing for the local paper and started a milliner's shop, but she sold it when she married the businessman Thomas Bradshawe Hoole in 1796, only to be widowed two years later with an infant son.
She went to live with her mother-in-law in Attercliffe
Attercliffe
Attercliffe is an industrial suburb of northeast Sheffield, England on the south bank of the River Don.-History:The name Attercliffe can be traced back as far as an entry in the Domesday book -Ateclive- meaning at the cliffe, a small escarpment that lay alongside the River Don...
, and supported herself partly from generous subscriptions given for a book of her poetry. In 1809 she opened a girls' boarding school at Grove House, Harrogate
Grove House, Harrogate
Grove House is a Grade II* listed manor house, located in Skipton Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England. Built in 1745-54 as World's End Inn, and the first house in Yorkshire to have gas lighting and heating, today it is a convalescence and old aged persons rest home, owned and operated by the...
, developing it as a ladies finishing school
Finishing school
A finishing school is "a private school for girls that emphasises training in cultural and social activities." The name reflects that it follows on from ordinary school and is intended to complete the educational experience, with classes primarily on etiquette...
, a forerunner to what is now Harrogate College
Harrogate College
Harrogate College is a further education college in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England. It traces its origins to the University Extension movement, which began in 1873 under the auspices of Cambridge University. It offers several levels of qualifications, including further- and higher-education...
. But she kept it only until 1811, when she moved to London.
In 1810 she married landscape artist, Thomas Christopher Hofland
Thomas Christopher Hofland
-Biography:Hofland was born in Worksop and he became a student of John Rathbone. He started teaching at Kew and in 1805 he moved to Derby. Hofland worked in Derby until 1808. He became the second husband of successful writer Barbara Hofland in 1810. Hofland exhibited 72 paintings at the Royal...
(1777–1843). Although her new husband had a good local reputation and had exhibited at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
, his wife's writings were to remain the main source of family income. In 1816 she was living in Newman Street, north of Oxford Street
Oxford Street
Oxford Street is a major thoroughfare in the City of Westminster in the West End of London, United Kingdom. It is Europe's busiest shopping street, as well as its most dense, and currently has approximately 300 shops. The street was formerly part of the London-Oxford road which began at Newgate,...
,, but they moved to Twickenham
Twickenham
Twickenham is a large suburban town southwest of central London. It is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan...
that year.
Her son Frederic, an Anglican
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
priest, predeceased her in 1832, as did her husband in 1843. She died in on November 4, 1844 and was buried at Richmond, Surrey. Her life by Thomas Ramsay was published in 1849.
Writings
During her writing life, Hofland became a friend of the architect John SoaneJohn Soane
Sir John Soane, RA was an English architect who specialised in the Neo-Classical style. His architectural works are distinguished by their clean lines, massing of simple form, decisive detailing, careful proportions and skilful use of light sources...
, who asked her to provide a description of his museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields
Lincoln's Inn Fields
Lincoln's Inn Fields is the largest public square in London, UK. It was laid out in the 1630s under the initiative of the speculative builder and contractor William Newton, "the first in a long series of entrepreneurs who took a hand in developing London", as Sir Nikolaus Pevsner observes...
, and of the writers Maria Edgeworth
Maria Edgeworth
Maria Edgeworth was a prolific Anglo-Irish writer of adults' and children's literature. She was one of the first realist writers in children's literature and was a significant figure in the evolution of the novel in Europe...
and Mary Russell Mitford
Mary Russell Mitford
Mary Russell Mitford , was an English author and dramatist. She was born at Alresford, Hampshire. Her place in English literature is as the author of Our Village...
. Her first story, The History of an Officer's Widow (1809), earned her £6 from John Harris, a London publisher. One of her many popular books (as Mrs. Hofland) was The Blind Farmer and His Children (1816). Most of her works depict the struggles of a Christian family against hardships. Her Tales of the Priory (1820), Tales of the Manor (1822) and Self-Denial (1835) can be read online, as can The Young Crusoe (1828),, and a number of others..
She also wrote geographical and topographical books for teaching purposes, and a longer work in verse: A Season at Harrogate (1812).