Mary Elizabeth Coleridge
Encyclopedia
Mary Elizabeth Coleridge (23 September 1861 – 25 August 1907) 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. She wrote poetry under the pseudonym
Anodos, taken from George MacDonald
; other influences on her were Richard Watson Dixon
and Christina Rossetti
.
Coleridge published five novels, the best known of those being The King with Two Faces, which earned her £900 in royalties in 1897. She travelled widely throughout her life, although her home was in London, where she lived with her family. Her father was Arthur Duke Coleridge who, along with the singer Jenny Lind
, was responsible for the formation of the London Bach Choir
in 1875. Other family friends included Robert Browning
, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, John Millais and Fanny Kemble
.
Mary Coleridge was the great-grandniece of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
and the great niece of Sara Coleridge
, the author of Phantasmion. She died from complications arising from appendicitis
while on holiday in Harrogate
in 1907, leaving an unfinished manuscript for her next novel, and hundreds of unpublished poems.
One of her poems, "The Blue Bird," was set to music by Charles Villiers Stanford
. A family friend, the composer Hubert Parry
, also set several of her poems to music.
the deserted house
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
novelist and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, who also wrote essays and reviews. She taught at the London Working Women's College for twelve years from 1895 to 1907. She wrote poetry under the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Anodos, taken from George MacDonald
George MacDonald
George MacDonald was a Scottish author, poet, and Christian minister.Known particularly for his poignant fairy tales and fantasy novels, George MacDonald inspired many authors, such as W. H. Auden, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, E. Nesbit and Madeleine L'Engle. It was C.S...
; other influences on her were Richard Watson Dixon
Richard Watson Dixon
Richard Watson Dixon , English poet and divine, son of Dr James Dixon, a Wesleyan minister.He was educated at King Edward's School, Birmingham, and on proceeding to Pembroke College, Oxford, became one of the famous Birmingham Set there who shared with William Morris and Burne-Jones in the...
and Christina Rossetti
Christina Rossetti
Christina Georgina Rossetti was an English poet who wrote a variety of romantic, devotional, and children's poems...
.
Coleridge published five novels, the best known of those being The King with Two Faces, which earned her £900 in royalties in 1897. She travelled widely throughout her life, although her home was in London, where she lived with her family. Her father was Arthur Duke Coleridge who, along with the singer Jenny Lind
Jenny Lind
Johanna Maria Lind , better known as Jenny Lind, was a Swedish opera singer, often known as the "Swedish Nightingale". One of the most highly regarded singers of the 19th century, she is known for her performances in soprano roles in opera in Sweden and across Europe, and for an extraordinarily...
, was responsible for the formation of the London Bach Choir
The Bach Choir
The Bach Choir is a large chorus, based in London, England. It has around 220 active members. The choir's musical director is David Hill and previous musical directors have included Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Reginald Jacques and Sir David Willcocks.The Bach Choir is an...
in 1875. Other family friends included Robert Browning
Robert Browning
Robert Browning was an English poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, especially dramatic monologues, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets.-Early years:...
, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, John Millais and Fanny Kemble
Fanny Kemble
Frances Anne Kemble , was a famous British actress and author in the early and mid nineteenth century.-Youth and acting career:...
.
Mary Coleridge was the great-grandniece of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge was an English poet, Romantic, literary critic and philosopher who, with his friend William Wordsworth, was a founder of the Romantic Movement in England and a member of the Lake Poets. He is probably best known for his poems The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla...
and the great niece of Sara Coleridge
Sara Coleridge
Sara Coleridge was an English author and translator. She was the fourth child and only daughter of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and his wife Sarah Fricker.-Early life:...
, the author of Phantasmion. She died from complications arising from appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
while on holiday in Harrogate
Harrogate
Harrogate is a spa town in North Yorkshire, England. The town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and Betty's Tea Rooms. From the town one can explore the nearby Yorkshire Dales national park. Harrogate originated in the 17th...
in 1907, leaving an unfinished manuscript for her next novel, and hundreds of unpublished poems.
One of her poems, "The Blue Bird," was set to music by Charles Villiers Stanford
Charles Villiers Stanford
Sir Charles Villiers Stanford was an Irish composer who was particularly notable for his choral music. He was professor at the Royal College of Music and University of Cambridge.- Life :...
. A family friend, the composer Hubert Parry
Hubert Parry
Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, 1st Baronet was an English composer, teacher and historian of music.Parry's first major works appeared in 1880. As a composer he is best known for the choral song "Jerusalem", the coronation anthem "I was glad" and the hymn tune "Repton", which sets the words...
, also set several of her poems to music.
Published works
- Fancy's Following. Oxford: Daniel, 1896 (poems)
- The King with Two Faces. London: Edward Arnold, 1897
- The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus. London: Chatto & Windus, 1898
- Non Sequitur. London: J. Nisbet, 1900 (essays)
- The Fiery Dawn. London: Edward Arnold, 1901
- The Shadow on the Wall: a romance. London: Edward Arnold, 1904
- The Lady on the Drawingroom Floor. London: Edward Arnold, 1906kiren
- Holman Hunt. London: T. C. & E. C. Jack; New York: F. A. Stokes Co., [1908] (three numbers of Masterpieces in Colour issued together: Millais / by A. L. Baldry - Holman Hunt / by M. E. Coleridge - Rossetti / by L. Pissarro.)
- Poems by Mary E. Coleridge. London: Elkin Mathews, 1908
- Songs not listed
the deserted house