Anna Millikin facts for kids

Anna Millikin (born January 19, 1764 – lived until at least 1849) was an Irish teacher and writer. She was one of the first women from Ireland to write exciting and mysterious stories called Gothic novels. She also started a magazine called The Casket or Hesperian Magazine.

Early Life

Anna Millikin was born in Castlemartyr, a town in County Cork, Ireland. Her family was originally Quakers, a type of Christian group.

Her father was Robert Millikin, and her mother was Elizabeth Battaley. Her grandfather, also named Robert Millikin, was a linen merchant from Belfast. He moved the family to Castlemartyr, where they joined the main church of the area.

Writing Career

Anna Millikin was one of the first women to write Gothic fiction. This type of story often includes mystery, horror, and sometimes supernatural events. She wrote at least four books.

She also helped create and write for a magazine called The Casket or Hesperian Magazine. This magazine was published in Cork between 1797 and 1798. She worked on it with her brother, Richard Alfred Milliken, who was a poet.

Important people, like Lord Boyle and Countess Shannon, supported her novels by subscribing to them.

One of her novels, Plantagenet, was reviewed in a magazine called Critical Review in 1803. The review said her story was interesting and felt real, even though it was a fictional tale.

Anna Millikin was still alive in May 1849. At that time, she successfully asked the Royal Literary Fund for help. This fund supports writers who need financial assistance.

Books by Anna Millikin

• Corfe Castle, or, Historic tracts (1793)
• Eva, an old Irish story (1795)
• Plantagenet; or Secrets of the House of Anjou (1802)
• An epitome of ancient history (1808) – This book was written for her students.

External sites

• Corvey Women Writers on the Web author page
• "Millikin, Anna." The Women's Print History Project, 2019, Person ID 1077. Accessed 2023-01-02.