Anne Francis (author) facts for kids
Anne Francis, born Gittins (1738 – 7 November 1800), was an English scholar and poet. She is famous for her poetic translation of the Bible's Song of Songs. She focused on the story and drama of the song, rather than its hidden religious meaning.
About Anne Francis
Anne Gittins was born in 1738. Her father, Reverend Daniel Gittins, was a church leader in South Stoke, England. He taught Anne at home. She learned about classic subjects like ancient Greek and Roman literature, and also the Hebrew language. Later, she married Reverend Robert Bransby Francis.
Her Special Bible Translation
Even though Anne Francis didn't go to a big school for her studies, she knew many important scholars of her time. She wrote a book called A Poetical Translation of the Song of Solomon. This book was about the Song of Songs, a poetic part of the Old Testament in the Bible.
Anne Francis saw the Song of Songs as a direct story with characters and action. She believed it was about a love triangle. She thought it showed a conflict between King Solomon's marriage to an Egyptian princess and an earlier wife. This was a new way to understand the ancient text.
One expert recently said that Anne Francis's work was very important for women. She brought together learning and feelings, which was seen as combining "male" and "female" ways of thinking. This made her Song of Songs translation a special achievement.
Later Works and Life
In 1787, Anne Francis started working with different publishers. She wrote a poem that responded to a famous German writer, Goethe. Throughout the 1790s, she continued to publish her writings.
Anne Francis also helped adapt French and German plays for the stage. Many other women writers of her time did this too.
Anne Francis passed away on 7 November 1800. She was 62 years old.
Selected Works
- A Poetical Translation of the Song of Solomon from the original Hebrew, with a preliminary Discourse and Notes, historical and explanatory, 1781
- The Obsequies of Demetrius Poliorcetes: a Poem, 1785
- A Poetical Epistle from Charlotte to Werther, 1788
- Miscellaneous Poems, 1790
