Ann Doherty facts for kids
Ann Doherty (born around 1786, died around 1831 or 1832) was an English writer. She wrote novels and plays. She also exchanged letters with a famous poet named Robert Southey. Her father, Thomas Holmes, was a rich merchant. He later changed his name to Hunter. This happened after he inherited an estate called Gobions in North Mymms, Hertfordshire. His wife, Ann's mother, was the daughter of William Hornby, who was a governor in India.
Ann's Relationships
Ann Holmes was known for being very smart and wealthy when she was young. At age 15, she wrote letters and poems to Hugh Doherty. He was an Irish former soldier and was twice her age. They later married. However, she moved away from him and their child in 1806. After this, Hugh Doherty published a book called The Discovery. It included her letters and talked about their marriage.
By 1820, Ann Doherty was living in France. She used the name St Anne Holmes. She stayed there for the rest of her life.
Her Writings
As an author, Ann Doherty published her works without her real name. Sometimes she used the name "St Anne." Her novels had a very descriptive and imaginative style. The main characters in her stories were often gentle and kind.
Some of her novels include:
- Ronaldsha (published in 1808)
- The Castles of Wolfnorth and Mont Eagle (published in 1812)
- The Knight of the Glen. An Irish Romance (published in 1815)
While she was with a person named Attersoll, she started writing letters to Robert Southey. He was a famous poet from the Lake District. In 1818, she sent him a copy of her play. It was called Peter the Cruel King of Castile and Leon: An Historical Play in Five Acts. Southey responded by sending her a special copy of his own work. It was the 1821 French translation of his poem Roderick the Last of the Goths.
