Anna Maria Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anna Maria Hall
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Anna Maria Hall, ca. 1875
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| Born | Anna Maria Fielding 6 January 1800 Dublin, Leinster, Ireland |
| Died | 30 January 1881 (aged 81) Devon Lodge, East Moulsey |
| Pen name | Mrs. S.C. Hall |
| Occupation | Writer (novelist) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Period | 19th century |
| Genre | Children's literature |
Anna Maria Hall (born January 6, 1800 – died January 30, 1881) was an Irish writer. She often published her books under the name "Mrs. S. C. Hall." She married Samuel Carter Hall, who was also a writer. He wrote about her in his book Retrospect of a Long Life. Anna Maria was born in Dublin, Ireland, but she moved to England when she was 15 years old.
Life of a Writer
Anna Maria Hall was born in Dublin on January 6, 1800. She lived with her mother and stepfather until 1815. That year, she moved to England with her mother. Anna Maria was taught by Frances Arabella Rowden, who was a poet and a teacher. Frances was known for helping her students become writers too. Some of her other famous students included Rosina Bulwer Lytton and Letitia Elizabeth Landon.
On September 20, 1824, Anna Maria married Samuel Carter Hall. Her mother lived with them in London until she passed away.
Mrs. Hall's first story was an Irish sketch called "Master Ben." It appeared in a magazine in 1829. She wrote more stories, and they were later put together in a book called Sketches of Irish Character (1829). After this, she became a professional writer. The next year, she wrote a book for children called Chronicles of a School-Room. It was a collection of simple tales.
In 1831, Anna Maria Hall published a second series of Sketches of Irish Character. Her first novel, The Buccaneer (1832), was a story set during the time of Oliver Cromwell. She also wrote articles for the New Monthly Magazine, which her husband edited. These articles were later published as Lights and Shadows of Irish Life (1838).
One of the main stories from this collection, "The Groves of Blarney," was turned into a play. It was very successful and played for a whole season at the Adelphi Theatre in 1838. Hall also wrote other plays, like The French Refugee (1836) and Mabel's Curse.
In 1840, she wrote what many people consider her best novel, Marian, or a Young Maid's Fortunes. This book showed how well she understood Irish people and their lives. She also wrote a series of Stories of the Irish Peasantry for a journal. Later, these stories were published as a book. In 1840, she helped her husband with his book, Ireland, its Scenery, Characters, &c. She also edited the St. James's Magazine from 1862 to 1863.
In The Art Journal, which her husband edited, she wrote "Pilgrimages to English Shrines" in 1849. Her beautiful book, Midsummer Eve, a Fairy Tale of Love, was also published there in parts. One of her last books, Boons and Blessings (1875), was a collection of stories about the temperance movement. This movement encouraged people to drink less alcohol.
Hall's stories about Ireland were similar to those by Mary Russell Mitford. They had lovely descriptions of the countryside and showed good morals. Her books were not always popular in Ireland because she tried to see good and bad in all groups of people. This meant she didn't fully please either the Orangemen or the Roman Catholics.
Anna Maria Hall was also very kind and helpful. She helped start the Hospital for Consumption (now the Royal Brompton Hospital). She also supported the Governesses' Institute (for women who taught children in their homes) and the Home for Decayed Gentlewomen (for women who had lost their money). She also helped with the Nightingale Fund, which helped set up what is now the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery. She cared about the temperance movement, women's rights, and helping those who were struggling. She even supported street musicians. She believed in spiritualism but remained a strong Christian.
She celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary on September 20, 1874. Anna Maria Hall passed away on January 30, 1881, at Devon Lodge, East Moulsey. She was buried in Addlestone churchyard on February 5.
Her Books and Other Works
Anna Maria Hall wrote many books and stories. Some of her other works include:
- The Buccaneer
- Can Wrong Be Right?
- Many short pieces in The Art Journal, which her husband edited.
- Stories in Sharpe's London Magazine.
She also worked with her husband on a book called Ireland: Its Scenery, Character, etc. (1841–43).
See also
- Eliza Foster
