Anna Gurney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anna Gurney
Gurney by John Linnell – 15 Feb 1824
Born	31 December 1795
Died	1857 Keswick, United Kingdom
Resting place	St Martin, Cromer Road, Overstrand, Norfolk, NR27 0NT

Anna Gurney (1795–1857) was an amazing English scholar and helper of others. She was also a geologist, studying rocks and the Earth. Anna was part of the important Gurney family from Norfolk.

Early Life and Learning

Anna Gurney was born on December 31, 1795. She was the youngest child of Richard Gurney and his second wife, Rachel. The Gurney family were Quakers, a type of Christian group. Many of them were also involved in banking.

Anna's family lived at Keswick Hall, near Norwich, in Norfolk. Her father passed away when she was 15 years old.

When Anna was just 10 months old, she became ill with polio. This sickness made her lower body unable to move. Because of this, Anna used a wheelchair for her whole life. Even with this challenge, she worked hard to help many different causes.

Anna was very smart and loved to learn. From a young age, she studied many languages. She learned Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and even Anglo-Saxon.

Helping Others and Discoveries

Anna spent a lot of her life helping people. She worked to end slavery and supported education for children. She also studied geology, focusing on the rocks and fossils found near her home.

In 1819, Anna published a book. It was a translation of an old book called the Saxon Chronicle. She published it without her name on it. This book was praised by other scholars.

After her mother died in 1825, Anna moved to Northrepps Cottage, near Cromer. She lived there for the rest of her life. While living there, she bought a special tool called a Manby Mortar. This tool could fire a rope to ships in trouble near the coast. Anna would even have herself carried to the beach in her chair to help direct rescue efforts.

Anna also worked with Amelia Opie to start an Anti-Slavery Society in Norwich. This group worked to stop slavery.

Anna loved to travel. She visited famous places like Rome and Athens. In 1845, she became the first woman to join the British Archaeological Association. This group studies old buildings and objects. She even wrote papers about finding a gold ornament and a lost city.

In her later years, Anna continued to learn. She studied Danish, Swedish, and Russian literature. She also owned an old book from Iceland.

Anna Gurney passed away on June 6, 1857. She was buried in Overstrand Church.

Her Family's Impact

Anna's half-brother, Hudson Gurney, was also a very important person. He was a member of Parliament and worked to end slavery. He was also a scholar who helped publish old Anglo-Saxon books.

Her brother, Richard Hanbury Gurney, was a banker and also a member of Parliament.

Anna's aunt was the mother of Fowell Buxton. He was a famous social reformer, and Anna helped him with his research.

Images for kids

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  Gurney by John Linnell – 15 Feb 1824