Alethea Lewis facts for kids

Alethea Lewis (born 19 December 1749, died 12 November 1827) was an English writer. She was born in Acton, near Nantwich, Cheshire. She also used the pen name Eugenia de Acton. Her stories often focused on her strong Christian faith and the idea that being good brings rewards. She was known for her great knowledge and learning.

Her Life Story

Alethea's father, James Brereton, was a church leader. When she was two years old, her mother passed away. Her father then sent her to live with her grandfather, who sold linen in Framlingham, Suffolk. Later, her father married again and had more daughters.

Alethea became engaged to William Springal Levett, whose father was a doctor in Aldeburgh. William was also a friend of the poet George Crabbe. Sadly, William died in 1774 before they could get married. In 1788, Alethea married Augustus Towle Lewis, who was a surgeon. The couple lived in Philadelphia for about a year. After that, they returned to England and settled in Penkridge, Staffordshire, where Alethea passed away in 1827.

Her Written Works

Alethea Lewis wrote many novels. Some of these books are definitely hers, but others are not as certain. For example, Vicissitudes in Genteel Life (1794) and The Microcosm (1801) might not be her work. Some other books, like Things by their Right Names (1812), Rhoda (1816), and Isabella (1823), have also been thought to be written by another author named Frances Jacson.

Lewis's main themes in her writing were her deep Christian beliefs and the idea that good actions are rewarded. Her books show that she was very thoughtful and well-educated. Some of her works were published using her pen name, Eugenia de Acton. These include Essays on the Art of being Happy (1803), A Tale without a Title: Give it what you Please (1804), The Nuns of the Desert, or, The Woodland Witches (1805), and the four-volume series The Discarded Daughter (1810). Even though some people found her plots to be very complex, her stories also had a unique and creative style.