Barbara Hofland facts for kids

A portrait of Barbara Hofland

The memorial to Barbara Hofland in Richmond, Surrey

Barbara Hofland (born in 1770 – died on 4 November 1844) was an English author. She wrote about 66 educational stories for children, as well as schoolbooks and poetry. A famous architect named John Soane even asked her to write about his museum in London, which you can still visit today!

Barbara Hofland's Early Life

Barbara Hofland was born Barbara Wreaks. Her father, Robert Wreaks, owned a factory in Sheffield. Sadly, he passed away when Barbara was only three years old. After that, her aunt raised her.

Barbara started writing for the local newspaper. She also opened a shop where she made and sold hats. In 1796, she married a businessman named Thomas Bradshawe Hoole. She sold her hat shop after getting married. However, just two years later, her husband died, leaving her with a baby son.

Starting a New Chapter

After her husband's death, Barbara moved to Attercliffe to live with her mother-in-law. She earned money partly from people who kindly bought her book of poetry.

In 1809, Barbara opened a boarding school for girls at Grove House, Harrogate. This school helped young ladies learn important skills and manners. It was an early version of what is now Harrogate College. She ran the school until 1811, when she moved to London.

In 1810, Barbara Wreaks married Thomas Christopher Hofland. He was a landscape artist. Even though her new husband was well-known locally and showed his art at the Royal Academy of Arts, Barbara's writing was the main way the family earned money. In 1816, she lived in Newman Street, near Oxford Street, before moving to Twickenham that same year.

Later Years and Legacy

Barbara's son, Frederic, who was a priest, passed away before her in 1832. Her husband also died in 1843. Barbara Hofland died on 4 November 1844. She was buried in Richmond, Surrey. A book about her life, written by Thomas Ramsay, was published in 1849.

Barbara Hofland's Books

During her career, Barbara Hofland became friends with important people. These included the architect John Soane, who asked her to describe his museum. She also knew famous writers like Maria Edgeworth and Mary Russell Mitford.

Her very first story, The History of an Officer's Widow (1809), earned her £6 from a London publisher named John Harris. One of her many popular books was The Blind Farmer and His Children (1816).

Her most famous children's book was The Son of a Genius. It was about an artist who often acted on impulse. This story might have included some details from her own life. By 1841, this book had been printed at least 14 times in England. It was also printed nine times in America and translated into French and other languages.

Most of Barbara Hofland's books show how Christian families faced and overcame difficulties. You can read some of her works online, such as:

• Tales of the Priory (1820)
• Tales of the Manor (1822)
• Self-Denial (1835)
• The Young Crusoe (1828)

She also wrote books about geography and places for teaching. She wrote a longer poem called A Season at Harrogate (1812).

Barbara Hofland also wrote a description and a poem about Whiteknights Park. This was the home of the 5th Duke of Marlborough. She and her husband invested their own money in publishing this work, which included drawings and etchings by her husband. However, the Duke never paid them back.

Some of Her Books

These books were kept in the library of Victor Amadeus, Landgraf of Hesse-Rotenburg (1779–1834). This library is still around today at Castle Corvey, in Germany.

More to Read

• Mary Soames; The Profligate Duke: George Spencer Churchill, Fifth Duke of Marlborough, and His Duchess (1987)