Catherine Christian
Encyclopedia
Catherine Christian was an English novelist, known for her children’s books and retellings of Arthurian legend. She is classified as having produced 45 works in 85 publications in two languages (English and French) and with 1,019 library holdings. She was also involved with the Girl Guide movement and published several books for girls in the “Ranger” series under the nom de plume of Patience Gilmour.
, London
, England, the daughter of a German
father, Christian John Mühlenkamp, and an English
mother, Catherine Harriett (nee Ellett, born in Wandsworth
in 1873). Christian and Catherine had married in Wandsworth
in 1899.
Her birth was registered as Mamie Muhlenkamp, but the family may have changed their surname during World War I
. There is no legal evidence for this name change and Mamie remained "Mulenkamp" in her school records, although later became known as Catherine Mary Christian.
Mamie attended Croydon High School
for girls between 25 September 1911 and 25 June 1920, initially at the site in Purley
and then from September 1914 at the main school. In 1919 her school records show that she achieved Senior Oxford Class III with subjects English, History, Religious Knowledge, French, German, Mathematics and Botany.
After leaving school she returned to live at home.
She edited "The Guide" journal from 1939 to 1945. She also made contributions to "The Guider", a publication being produced at the same time and which was edited by her friend Margaret Tennyson. After the war, Christian moved to Devon
and was Curator of the Salcombe
National Trust
Museum (Overbeck's
).
Christian was involved in the Guide International Service, and assisted Olga Drahonowska-Małkowska, a former Polish Chief Guide and founder of scouting in Poland, who ran the Polish Children's Home at Hawson Court in Buckfastleigh
, Devon.
Christian died on the 12 November 1985.
Early life
Catherine Christian was born on 22nd June 1901 in ChelseaChelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England, the daughter of a German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
father, Christian John Mühlenkamp, and an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
mother, Catherine Harriett (nee Ellett, born in Wandsworth
Wandsworth
Wandsworth is a district of south London, England, in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Toponymy:...
in 1873). Christian and Catherine had married in Wandsworth
Wandsworth
Wandsworth is a district of south London, England, in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Toponymy:...
in 1899.
Her birth was registered as Mamie Muhlenkamp, but the family may have changed their surname during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. There is no legal evidence for this name change and Mamie remained "Mulenkamp" in her school records, although later became known as Catherine Mary Christian.
Mamie attended Croydon High School
Croydon High School
Croydon High School for Girls GDST is a leading non-denominational independent school for girls, located near Croydon, Greater London, England. It is one of the schools in the Girls' Day School Trust....
for girls between 25 September 1911 and 25 June 1920, initially at the site in Purley
Purley, London
Purley is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, England. It is a suburban development situated 11.7 miles south of Charing Cross.The name derives from "pirlea", which means 'Peartree lea'. Purley has a population of about 72,000....
and then from September 1914 at the main school. In 1919 her school records show that she achieved Senior Oxford Class III with subjects English, History, Religious Knowledge, French, German, Mathematics and Botany.
After leaving school she returned to live at home.
Later life
Christian was a published author during the period 1930 to 1970. Many of these were books for girls and included references to the Girl Guides. She had become involved with the Girl Guide Movement, probably during her school years.She edited "The Guide" journal from 1939 to 1945. She also made contributions to "The Guider", a publication being produced at the same time and which was edited by her friend Margaret Tennyson. After the war, Christian moved to Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
and was Curator of the Salcombe
Salcombe
Salcombe is a town in the South Hams district of Devon, south west England. The town is close to the mouth of the Kingsbridge Estuary, built mostly on the steep west side of the estuary and lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
National Trust
National Trust
National Trust most commonly refers to an organization dedicated to preserving the cultural or environmental treasures of a particular geographic region. They generally operate as private non-profit organizations, although some receive considerable support from their national government...
Museum (Overbeck's
Overbeck's
Overbeck's Museum and Garden is an Edwardian house and 2.75 hectare garden situated in Sharpitor, Salcombe, Devon, England. It is named after its last private owner Otto Christop Joseph Gerhardt Ludwig Overbeck...
).
Christian was involved in the Guide International Service, and assisted Olga Drahonowska-Małkowska, a former Polish Chief Guide and founder of scouting in Poland, who ran the Polish Children's Home at Hawson Court in Buckfastleigh
Buckfastleigh
Buckfastleigh is a small market town and civil parish in Devon, England situated beside the Devon Expressway at the edge of the Dartmoor National Park. It is part of Teignbridge District and, for ecclesiastical purposes lies within the Totnes Deanery. It has a population of 3,661...
, Devon.
Christian died on the 12 November 1985.
As Catherine Christian
- Great Stories of All Time, illustrated by Alfred Garth JonesAlfred Garth JonesAlfred Garth Jones was an English artist and illustrator who worked mainly in woodcut, pen and ink line art drawing and watercolour.-Early life:...
, published by Hutchinson c1936 - The Pendragon, published by Knopf, 1978; Warner, 1984
- Sword and the Flame, published by Macmillan, 1981
- A Schoolgirl from Hollywood, illustrated by Ernest Baker, published by Blackie & Son, 1939
- The Marigolds Make Good, published by Blackie & Son, 1937
- The School at Emery's End, published by Pearson, 1944
- Sally Joins the Patrol, published by Peal Press, 1966
- A Stranger Passed, published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1961
- Diana Takes a Chance, illustrated by A A Nash, published London by Blackie & Son, 1940
- Sidney Seeks Her Fortune, published by Peal Press, 1965
- Cherries in Search of a Captain, Illustrated by Comerford Watson, published by Blackie & Son Ltd.,c1935
- The School At Emerys End, published London by C Arthur Pearson, 1944
- Sally and the Sixpenny Pig (Read every day library), illustrated by Constance Marshall, published by Blackie, 1960
- L'aube de la Liberté, publisher unknown
- The Kingfishers See It Through, illustrated by E. Spring-Smith, published by Blackie & Sons, 1942
- The Seventh Magpie, illustrated by E. Spring-Smith, published by Blackie & Son. London, c1948
- The Silver Unicorn London, published by Hutchinson, 1946
- The Legions Go North, published by Cassell & Co., 1935
- The Pharaoh's Secret, published by Lutterworth Press, 1940
- Baker's Dozen : thirteen stories for girls, published by Girl's Own Paper, 1937
- Phyllida's Fortune, published by George Newnes Ltd, 1947
- Harriet : The Return of Rip Van Winkle, published by C. Arthur Pearson Ltd., 1941
- Syringa Street, published London, 1930
- The Luck of the Scallop Shell, published by Brown, Son & Ferguson Limited, 1929
- The Wrong Uncle Jim, published by Edward Arnold & Co., 1935
- The Big Test: The Story of the Girl Guides in the World War, published by The Girl Guides Association, 1947
- Greenie and the Pink 'Un, a Girl Guide story, illustrated by Gordon BrowneGordon BrowneGordon Frederick Browne was an English artist and children's book illustrator in the late 19th century and early 20th century....
, published by "Every Girl's Paper" Office, c1925
As Patience Gilmour
- Three’s a Company, 1935
- The Quest of the Wild Swans, 1941
- The Cygnets Sail Out, 1943
- The Seven Wild Swans: A Story for Rangers, published by Epworth Press, 1936