Lucy Toulmin Smith
Encyclopedia
Lucy Toulmin Smith was an Anglo-American antiquarian and librarian, known for her first publication of the York Mystery Plays
and other early works.
, Massachusetts, USA, on 21 November 1838, of English parents, Joshua Toulmin Smith
and his wife Martha. Lucy was the eldest child of a family of three daughters and two sons. In 1842 the Toulmin Smiths returned to England and settled in Highgate
, Middlesex. She was educated at home, and went on to assist her father in editing his journal the Parliamentary Remembrancer (1857 – 65). After his death she completed his volume English Gilds, adding her own introduction.
Subsequently she edited many other important early documents, in some cases also translating from the French. She was a close friend of Mary Kingsley
and helped her in her literary work. She collaborated with many scholars of all nationalities, such as James Gairdner
. She also contributed to the girls' magazine Atalanta
, edited by L. T. Meade, who was the wife of her brother Alfred.
In 1893 Manchester College
opened new buildings in Oxford
. The library housed valuable collections of books, but had no librarian, until in September 1894 Lucy Toulmin Smith was appointed. In addition to the ordinary running of the library, she took pains to build up collections of special relevance to the college's nonconformist heritage. Thus she completed James Martineau
's set of the papers of the Metaphysical Society
(1869 – 80). Likewise she built up almost complete runs of periodicals of interest to Unitarians
as the annual reports of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association
, and the unitarian journal The Inquirer. Meanwhile her own scholarly work continued with numerous publications.
She died in Oxford on 18 December 1911.
, which LTS first published. (four volumes)
York Mystery Plays
The York Mystery Plays, more properly called the York Corpus Christi Plays, are a Middle English cycle of forty-eight mystery plays, or pageants, which cover sacred history from the creation to the Last Judgement. These were traditionally presented on the feast day of Corpus Christi...
and other early works.
Life
Lucy Toulmin Smith was born at BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts, USA, on 21 November 1838, of English parents, Joshua Toulmin Smith
Joshua Toulmin Smith
Joshua Toulmin Smith was a British political theorist, lawyer and local historian of Birmingham.Born in Birmingham as Joshua Smith, he moved to London in 1835 and pursued a career in law, studying at Lincoln's Inn...
and his wife Martha. Lucy was the eldest child of a family of three daughters and two sons. In 1842 the Toulmin Smiths returned to England and settled in Highgate
Highgate
Highgate is an area of North London on the north-eastern corner of Hampstead Heath.Highgate is one of the most expensive London suburbs in which to live. It has an active conservation body, the Highgate Society, to protect its character....
, Middlesex. She was educated at home, and went on to assist her father in editing his journal the Parliamentary Remembrancer (1857 – 65). After his death she completed his volume English Gilds, adding her own introduction.
Subsequently she edited many other important early documents, in some cases also translating from the French. She was a close friend of Mary Kingsley
Mary Kingsley
Mary Henrietta Kingsley was an English writer and explorer who greatly influenced European ideas about Africa and African people.-Early life:Kingsley was born in Islington, London on 13 October 1862...
and helped her in her literary work. She collaborated with many scholars of all nationalities, such as James Gairdner
James Gairdner
James Gairdner was a British historian. Specializing in 15th century and Early Tudor history, he among other tasks edited the Letters and Papers, foreign and domestic, of the reign of Henry VIII series....
. She also contributed to the girls' magazine Atalanta
Atalanta (magazine)
Atalanta was a British monthly magazine for girls, which was published between 1887 and 1898.-History:Named after the Greek mythological heroine Atalanta, the magazine was founded by L. T. Meade as a successor to Every Girl's Magazine. It appeared monthly from January 1887 at six pence per issue...
, edited by L. T. Meade, who was the wife of her brother Alfred.
In 1893 Manchester College
Harris Manchester College, Oxford
Harris Manchester College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Formerly known as Manchester College, it is listed in the University Statutes as Manchester Academy and Harris College, and at University ceremonies it is called Collegium de Harris et...
opened new buildings in Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. The library housed valuable collections of books, but had no librarian, until in September 1894 Lucy Toulmin Smith was appointed. In addition to the ordinary running of the library, she took pains to build up collections of special relevance to the college's nonconformist heritage. Thus she completed James Martineau
James Martineau
James Martineau was an English religious philosopher influential in the history of Unitarianism. For 45 years he was Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy and Political Economy in Manchester New College, the principal training college for British Unitarianism.-Early life:He was born in Norwich,...
's set of the papers of the Metaphysical Society
Metaphysical Society
The Metaphysical Society was a British society, founded in 1869 by James Knowles. Many of its members were prominent clergymen.Papers were read and discussed at meetings on such subjects as the ultimate grounds of belief in the objective and moral sciences, the immortality of the soul, etc...
(1869 – 80). Likewise she built up almost complete runs of periodicals of interest to Unitarians
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
as the annual reports of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association
British and Foreign Unitarian Association
The British and Foreign Unitarian Association was the major Unitarian body in Britain from 1825. The BFUA was founded as an amalgamation of three older societies: the Unitarian Book Society for literature , The Unitarian Fund for mission work , and the Unitarian Association for civil rights...
, and the unitarian journal The Inquirer. Meanwhile her own scholarly work continued with numerous publications.
She died in Oxford on 18 December 1911.
Works
The "religious play" referred to is The Brome play of Abraham and IsaacThe Brome play of Abraham and Isaac
The Brome play of Abraham and Isaac is a fifteenth-century play of unknown authorship, written in an East Anglian dialect of Middle English, which dramatises the story of the Akedah, the binding of Isaac.-The play:In the opening scene, Abraham prays to God, thanking Him for His...
, which LTS first published. (four volumes)