Christabel Rose Coleridge
Encyclopedia
Christabel Rose Coleridge (25 May 1843 – 14 November 1921) was an English
novelist who also edited girls' magazines, sometimes in collaboration with the writer Charlotte Yonge.
A granddaughter of the famous poet, Samuel Coleridge, Christabel was born at St Mark's College, Chelsea
while her father Derwent
was headmaster there. For a time she helped her brother Ernest
run a school, but her ambition was to be a writer. She went on to publish more than 15 novels, the first being a children's historical story called Lady Betty (1869). Her fiction expressed her concern with morality, and several books were published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.
She was a friend of Charlotte Yonge, distantly related to her through Mary Elizabeth Coleridge
, who, like Christabel, had been one of Yonge's protégées or "goslings". They collaborated on several writing projects like The Miz Maze: a story in letters by nine authors (1883). Christabel Coleridge co-edited the Monthly Packet
with her "Mother Goose" in the early 1890s, and then became sole editor of this Anglican magazine for middle-class girls. She also edited a magazine intended for the working-class members of the church
-based Girls' Friendly Society. After Yonge's death she published the biographical Charlotte Mary Yonge: her Life and Letters (1903).
In 1880 she moved to Torquay when her father retired there. Christabel Coleridge had conservative ideas about women's role in society and she published a collection of essays on this topic in 1894: The Daughters who have not Revolted. Her last novel, Miss Lucy, was published in 1908.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
novelist who also edited girls' magazines, sometimes in collaboration with the writer Charlotte Yonge.
A granddaughter of the famous poet, Samuel Coleridge, Christabel was born at St Mark's College, Chelsea
Chelsea, 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...
while her father Derwent
Derwent Coleridge
Derwent Coleridge , third child of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, was a distinguished English scholar and author.-Early life:Derwent Coleridge was born at Keswick, Cumberland, 14 Sept. 1800 . He was sent with his brother Hartley to be educated at a small school near Ambleside...
was headmaster there. For a time she helped her brother Ernest
Ernest Hartley Coleridge
Ernest Hartley Coleridge was a British literary scholar and poet. He was son of Derwent Coleridge and grandson of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. He did scholarly work on his grandfather’s manuscripts, being the last of the Coleridges involved in their editing. He also took part in the campaign to buy...
run a school, but her ambition was to be a writer. She went on to publish more than 15 novels, the first being a children's historical story called Lady Betty (1869). Her fiction expressed her concern with morality, and several books were published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.
She was a friend of Charlotte Yonge, distantly related to her through Mary Elizabeth Coleridge
Mary Elizabeth Coleridge
Mary Elizabeth Coleridge was a British novelist and poet, who also wrote essays and reviews. She taught at the London Working Women's College for twelve years from 1895 to 1907...
, who, like Christabel, had been one of Yonge's protégées or "goslings". They collaborated on several writing projects like The Miz Maze: a story in letters by nine authors (1883). Christabel Coleridge co-edited the Monthly Packet
Monthly Packet
The Monthly Packet was an English magazine published between 1851 and 1899. It was founded by members of the Oxford Movement to counter Anglo-Catholic extremism. It was strongly influenced by its first editor, the novelist Charlotte Yonge. Its aims were to provide instruction, entertainment, and...
with her "Mother Goose" in the early 1890s, and then became sole editor of this Anglican magazine for middle-class girls. She also edited a magazine intended for the working-class members of the church
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...
-based Girls' Friendly Society. After Yonge's death she published the biographical Charlotte Mary Yonge: her Life and Letters (1903).
In 1880 she moved to Torquay when her father retired there. Christabel Coleridge had conservative ideas about women's role in society and she published a collection of essays on this topic in 1894: The Daughters who have not Revolted. Her last novel, Miss Lucy, was published in 1908.
Further reading
- The Gosling Society
- Please tell me a tale by Christabel R. Coleridge in the University of Florida Digital CollectionsUniversity of Florida Digital CollectionsThe University of Florida Digital Collections are supported by the University of Florida Digital Library Center in the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida. The University of Florida Digital Collections comprise a constantly growing collection of digital resources from the...