Harriet Lee
Encyclopedia
Harriet Lee was a novelist and playwright.
Born the daughter of actor John Lee, Harriet Lee grew up in an artistic family. In 1786 she published The Errors of Innocence, an epistolary novel. In 1797 she completed another novel, Clara Lennox, and that same year she published the first volume of a collection of twelve stories, Canterbury Tales (completed in 1805). Her sister, Sophia Lee
(1750–1824), also a successful author and dramatist, contributed two episodes to the first volume of this lengthy project. One episode, Kruitzner, was dramatized by Lord Byron
in 1821 under the title of Werner, or the Inheritance. Harriet Lee then wrote it as a play, re-titled The Three Strangers; it debuted at London
's Covent Garden
in 1825.
After the death of his wife Mary Wollstonecraft
, William Godwin
pursued Lee, then 41, impressed by her wit. The two corresponded for several months during 1798, in which Harriet rebuked him several times for his egotism. When Godwin visited her to make a formal proposal, she rejected him, citing their different philosophies and religious beliefs. She and her sisters opened a school at Belvedere House in the city of Bath where they became friends with novelist Ann Radcliffe
. She spent her final years in the village of Clifton
in Bristol
.
Harriet Lee lived to be 94. She died in Clifton in 1851 and was interred in the Church cemetery there, with her sisters.
Born the daughter of actor John Lee, Harriet Lee grew up in an artistic family. In 1786 she published The Errors of Innocence, an epistolary novel. In 1797 she completed another novel, Clara Lennox, and that same year she published the first volume of a collection of twelve stories, Canterbury Tales (completed in 1805). Her sister, Sophia Lee
Sophia Lee
Sophia Lee was an English novelist and dramatist.She was the daughter of John Lee , actor and theatrical manager, and was born in London...
(1750–1824), also a successful author and dramatist, contributed two episodes to the first volume of this lengthy project. One episode, Kruitzner, was dramatized by Lord Byron
George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron
George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron, later George Gordon Noel, 6th Baron Byron, FRS , commonly known simply as Lord Byron, was a British poet and a leading figure in the Romantic movement...
in 1821 under the title of Werner, or the Inheritance. Harriet Lee then wrote it as a play, re-titled The Three Strangers; it debuted at 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...
's Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
in 1825.
After the death of his wife Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft was an eighteenth-century British writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights. During her brief career, she wrote novels, treatises, a travel narrative, a history of the French Revolution, a conduct book, and a children's book...
, William Godwin
William Godwin
William Godwin was an English journalist, political philosopher and novelist. He is considered one of the first exponents of utilitarianism, and the first modern proponent of anarchism...
pursued Lee, then 41, impressed by her wit. The two corresponded for several months during 1798, in which Harriet rebuked him several times for his egotism. When Godwin visited her to make a formal proposal, she rejected him, citing their different philosophies and religious beliefs. She and her sisters opened a school at Belvedere House in the city of Bath where they became friends with novelist Ann Radcliffe
Ann Radcliffe
Anne Radcliffe was an English author, and considered the pioneer of the gothic novel . Her style is romantic in its vivid descriptions of landscapes, and long travel scenes, yet the Gothic element is obvious through her use of the supernatural...
. She spent her final years in the village of Clifton
Clifton, Bristol
Clifton is a suburb of the City of Bristol in England, and the name of both one of the city's thirty-five council wards. The Clifton ward also includes the areas of Cliftonwood and Hotwells...
in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
.
Harriet Lee lived to be 94. She died in Clifton in 1851 and was interred in the Church cemetery there, with her sisters.