Agnes Porter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Agnes Porter
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| Born | c.1752 Edinburgh |
| Died | 1814 Bruton, Somerset |
| Occupation | Governess |
| Nationality | British |
Agnes Porter (born around 1752 – died 1814) was a British woman famous for her detailed diaries. She worked as a governess, teaching and caring for children in wealthy families. Her writings give us a special look into everyday life during the time of famous author Jane Austen.
Contents
Agnes Porter's Life Story
Early Years and Education
Agnes Porter was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. We don't know her exact birth year, but her birthday was on June 18. Her father was a clergyman, which means he worked for the church. Agnes was very good at French. She was also interested in learning other languages.
A Governess's Career
Agnes became a governess. This job meant she lived with a family and taught their children at home. She is remembered today because her diaries and letters survived. These writings cover the years from 1788 to 1814. Through them, we can learn a lot about her life and the people she met. She wrote to people like Elizabeth Moser and Valentine Green, who wrote a book called Triumphs of Reason Exemplified in Seven Tales.
In 1788, Agnes moved from Great Yarmouth. She became the governess for the daughters of Ambrose Goddard. He was a Member of Parliament (M.P.), which means he was part of the government. The Goddard family lived in a place called Swindon House in Wiltshire.
Later, Agnes worked for the children of Henry Fox-Strangways, 2nd Earl of Ilchester. An Earl is a type of British noble. She continued to teach children in the same family for many years. She even taught the cousins Henry Fox Talbot and Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot. Henry Fox Talbot was a very important person. He helped invent photography! Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot was a politician and a businessman.
Retirement and Discovery of Diaries
In 1799, Agnes went to live with one of her former students, Mary Talbot. Mary lived at Penrice Castle. Agnes helped care for Mary's children there. Agnes retired from being a governess in 1806. After that, she went to live with her married sister. Agnes Porter died in 1814 in Bruton, Somerset, and she was buried there.
Many years later, in the 1970s, Agnes Porter's diaries and letters were found. They were discovered at Penrice Castle. Because of this discovery, a book was published in 1998. It was called A Governess in the Age of Jane Austen. The Journals and Letters of Agnes Porter. This book lets us read her own words and learn about her life.
