Sarah Stickney
Encyclopedia
This article is about the English author. For the Canadian children's writer, see Sarah Ellis (author)
.
Sarah Stickney Ellis (1799–16 June 1872) was a Quaker turned Congregationalist
who was the author of numerous books, mostly written about women's role(s) in society. Particularly well-known are The Wives of England, The Women of England, The Mothers of England, and The Daughters of England, also her more directly educational works such as Rawdon House and Education of the Heart: Women's Best Work. Related to her principal literary theme of moral education for women, she established Rawdon House
in Hertfordshire; a school for young ladies intended to apply the principles illustrated in her books to the "moral training, the formation of character, and in some degree the domestic duties of young ladies.",
With few exceptions, boys and girls were educated separately in nineteenth century England, and the question of how to educate women was a subject of great debate. It was quite common for women, as well as men, to believe that they should not be educated in the full range of subjects, but should focus on domestic skills. Elizabeth Sandford wrote for women in support of this view, whilst others such as Susanna Corder ran a novel Quaker girl's school at Abney Park
instituted by the philanthropist William Allen
that dissented from convention by teaching all the latest sciences as early as the 1820s. In Education of the Heart: Women’s Best Work (1869) Sarah Ellis, accepted the importance of intellectual education for women as well as training in domestic duties, but stressed that because women were the earliest educators of the men who predominantly ran and decided upon education in Victorian society, women primarily needed a system of education that developed sound moral character in their offspring.
In 1837, Sarah married the Rev. William Ellis, who held a prominent position in the London Missionary Society
, and with whom she worked for the missionary cause and to promote their common interest in temperance. After thirty-five years of marriage they died within a week of each other. Of independent mind, she was buried in the countryside near their home, whilst her husband was laid to rest in the Congregationalists' non-denominational Abney Park Cemetery
in the outskirts of Victorian London.
Sarah Ellis (author)
This article is about the contemporary Canadian children's author. For the 19th Century English author of books about women, see Sarah Stickney Ellis.Sarah Ellis is a Canadian children's author and librarian...
.
Sarah Stickney Ellis (1799–16 June 1872) was a Quaker turned Congregationalist
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
who was the author of numerous books, mostly written about women's role(s) in society. Particularly well-known are The Wives of England, The Women of England, The Mothers of England, and The Daughters of England, also her more directly educational works such as Rawdon House and Education of the Heart: Women's Best Work. Related to her principal literary theme of moral education for women, she established Rawdon House
Rawdon House
Rawdon House, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, was built in 1622 by Marmaduke Rawdon....
in Hertfordshire; a school for young ladies intended to apply the principles illustrated in her books to the "moral training, the formation of character, and in some degree the domestic duties of young ladies.",
With few exceptions, boys and girls were educated separately in nineteenth century England, and the question of how to educate women was a subject of great debate. It was quite common for women, as well as men, to believe that they should not be educated in the full range of subjects, but should focus on domestic skills. Elizabeth Sandford wrote for women in support of this view, whilst others such as Susanna Corder ran a novel Quaker girl's school at Abney Park
Abney Park
The historic grounds of Abney Park are situated in Stoke Newington, London, England. It is a 13ha park dating from just before 1700, named after Lady Mary Abney and associated with Dr Isaac Watts. In the early 18th century, the park was accessed via the frontages and gardens of two large mansions...
instituted by the philanthropist William Allen
William Allen (Quaker)
William Allen FRS, FLS was an English scientist and philanthropist who opposed slavery and engaged in schemes of social and penal improvement in early nineteenth century England.-Early life:...
that dissented from convention by teaching all the latest sciences as early as the 1820s. In Education of the Heart: Women’s Best Work (1869) Sarah Ellis, accepted the importance of intellectual education for women as well as training in domestic duties, but stressed that because women were the earliest educators of the men who predominantly ran and decided upon education in Victorian society, women primarily needed a system of education that developed sound moral character in their offspring.
In 1837, Sarah married the Rev. William Ellis, who held a prominent position in the London Missionary Society
London Missionary Society
The London Missionary Society was a non-denominational missionary society formed in England in 1795 by evangelical Anglicans and Nonconformists, largely Congregationalist in outlook, with missions in the islands of the South Pacific and Africa...
, and with whom she worked for the missionary cause and to promote their common interest in temperance. After thirty-five years of marriage they died within a week of each other. Of independent mind, she was buried in the countryside near their home, whilst her husband was laid to rest in the Congregationalists' non-denominational Abney Park Cemetery
Abney Park Cemetery
Abney Park in Stoke Newington, in the London Borough of Hackney, is a historic parkland originally laid out in the early 18th century by Lady Mary Abney and Dr. Isaac Watts, and the neighbouring Hartopp family. In 1840 it became a non-denominational garden cemetery, semi-public park arboretum, and...
in the outskirts of Victorian London.
Selected works
- Rawdon House
- The Beautiful in Nature & Art
- Northern Roses
- Education of the Heart: Women's Best Work
- The Wives of England
- The Women of England
- The Mothers of England
- The Daughters of England
- Knife'