Bertha Henry Buxton facts for kids

Bertha Henry Buxton (born 26 July 1844 – died 1881) was an English writer who wrote many novels and stories, especially for children.

Early Life and Travels

Bertha Henry Leupold was born on 26 July 1844. Even as a young girl of eleven, she loved writing stories for her friends at Queen's College in Tufnell Park, London. Her parents, William and Therese Leupold, were from Germany. Her father was a merchant in London, and her mother was well-known in music circles. With her parents, Bertha traveled to America, Germany, and Holland when she was fourteen and fifteen years old.

Starting Her Writing Career

At sixteen, Bertha married Henry Buxton, who managed clubs and was also an author. She continued to write for fun, even translating a German operetta into English. She also wrote a short novel called Percy's Wife, which her husband paid to publish. After fifteen years of marriage, her husband faced money problems and left her and their children.

In 1875, Bertha suddenly found herself without money. She had to rely on her own efforts to support herself and her family. So, she decided to become a professional writer.

Becoming a Successful Author

In 1876, Bertha published her novel, Jennie of the Prince's. This book was about life in the theater, which she knew about from working on stage in Exeter. The book was a big success!

The next year, she wrote a story for The World magazine. She also released another novel called Won! and a children's story titled Rosabella. For Rosabella, she used the pen name Auntie Bee. From then on, she wrote under her own name. The following Christmas, she published another children's book called More Dolls, which had pictures by Mr. T. D. White and was dedicated to the Princess of Wales.

Later Books and Collaborations

Later, Bertha had an accident that made it hard for her to work. But after recovering a bit, she wrote several more books. These included Fetterless though Bound together (1879), Great Grenfell Gardens (1879), Nell—On and Off the Stage, and From the Wings (1880). The last two stories first appeared in Tinsley's Magazine.

Some of her other books were Many Loves (1880), Little Pops, a nursery romance (1881), and Sceptre and King (1881). She also worked with a blind author named William Willhem Fenn. Together, they wrote Oliver Gay, a Rattling Story of Field, Fright, and Fight in 1880. She also contributed a story called A Noble Name to a book he published in 1883.

Bertha Henry Buxton passed away suddenly from heart disease on 31 March 1881, in Kensington, London.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain:  "Buxton, Bertha H.". Dictionary of National Biography. (1885–1900). London: Smith, Elder & Co.