Blanche Atkinson facts for kids

Blanche Isabella Atkinson (born March 1847 – died October 1911) was an English writer who wrote novels and books for children. She is also known for her letters and friendship with the famous art critic John Ruskin.

About Blanche Atkinson

Early Life and Interests

Blanche Atkinson was born in Aigburth, a town near Liverpool, England. Her father, Jonathan Atkinson, was a very successful soap maker in Liverpool.

Blanche loved to read. She especially enjoyed reading letters written by John Ruskin called Fors Clavigera. These letters were meant for the working people of Great Britain.

Friendship with John Ruskin

In March 1873, Blanche sent her first payment for Ruskin's work, along with a note saying how much she liked it. This was the start of their friendship through letters. Blanche was 27 years old, and Ruskin was 54.

In the first three years of their friendship, Ruskin sent her a hundred letters! He wrote about 40 more letters to her over the next decade.

In 1873, Blanche joined a group called the Guild of St George. This group was started by Ruskin. They tried to put his ideas into practice, like creating special communities where people could live better lives.

Ruskin even shared parts of Blanche's letters in his own writings. These letters talked about the tough living conditions in poor city areas. They also described how factories were changing the countryside. Because Blanche cared about people living in poverty, Ruskin introduced her to Octavia Hill. Octavia Hill was a social reformer who worked to improve housing for the poor.

Her Books and Writings

After reading an article Blanche wrote for mill workers, Ruskin encouraged her to write a short story. She went on to publish three novels:

• The Web of Life, or the Story of Peter Holgate's Love (1889)
• They Have Their Reward (1890)
• A Commonplace Girl (1895)

Blanche also wrote many books for children. Some of her popular children's books include:

• Rosalinda and Other Fairy Tales (with Anna Cross, 1890)
• The Real Princess (1894)
• Dick's Hero (1899)
• Tom Leslie's Secret and What Came of it (1900)
• Jack's Baby (1904)

Besides fiction, she wrote non-fiction works too. These include What Are the Duties of Selbornians? (1895) and Ruskin's Social Experiment at Barmouth (1900).

Blanche Atkinson also helped edit two books by Frances Power Cobbe. Cobbe was an Irish writer who worked for women's rights and social change. The books were:

• Life of Frances Power Cobbe as Told by Herself (1904)
• The Duties of Women: A Course of Lectures by Frances Power Cobbe (1905)

Later Life

Later in her life, Blanche lived at Tynffynnon. This was the home of Mrs. Fanny Talbot. Mrs. Talbot was a wealthy landowner who had given land and cottages in Barmouth to John Ruskin's Guild of St. George.

Blanche Atkinson passed away in October 1911 in Dolgelly, Merionethshire. She never married.