Caroline Clive facts for kids

Caroline Clive (born Caroline Meysey-Wigley; 24 June 1801 – 13 July 1873) was an English writer. She often used the pseudonym V. Caroline Clive was best known for her book of poems called IX Poems. When these poems were first published, they became very popular. She also wrote several novels, including the famous mystery story Paul Ferroll. Caroline Clive was known for her clever conversations and was highly respected by other smart people of her time. She also wrote many letters.

Early Life and Challenges

Caroline Meysey-Wigley was born in Brompton Grove, London, England, on June 24, 1801. Her father, Edmund Meysey-Wigley, was a Member of Parliament for Worcester.

When Caroline was only three years old, she became very ill. This illness caused her to be lame for the rest of her life. This meant she had difficulty walking and faced challenges in many ways.

Writing Career and Famous Works

In 1840, Caroline Clive published her first collection of poems, called IX Poems. It was a small book that quickly gained attention. A famous writer named Hartley Coleridge reviewed her poems. He praised them highly, saying they were very unique and powerful for a woman writer. He even compared her work to that of great poets.

On November 10, 1840, Caroline married Reverend Archer Clive. They had two children: a son named Charles and a daughter named Alice.

A second edition of IX Poems came out in 1841, with more poems added. Caroline continued to write. She published other poems like I watched the Heavens (1842) and The Queen's Ball (1847). She also wrote longer poems such as Valley of the Rea (1851) and The Morlas (1853).

The Mystery Novel: Paul Ferroll

Caroline Clive became very famous for her mystery novel, Paul Ferroll, published in 1853. This book was a "sensational novel," meaning it was exciting and full of suspense. She later wrote a sequel, Why Paul Ferroll Killed his Wife, which continued the story.

Paul Ferroll was very popular and was even translated into French. It went through several editions. Caroline Clive was seen as a pioneer in writing mystery novels. She wrote in a style that came before other well-known mystery writers of the 19th century, like Wilkie Collins. Her stories focused on showing human nature through exciting events and actions.

Even though her later poems and novels were good, many people felt that her first book, IX Poems, remained her best work. She often published her works anonymously, using only her pen name, "V".

Later Years and Legacy

Caroline Clive was unwell for several years before her death. She passed away in a fire accident at her home in Whitfield, Herefordshire, on July 13, 1873. She was sitting among her papers when the accident happened.

Caroline Clive's writings, especially IX Poems and Paul Ferroll, left an important mark on English literature. She is remembered as a talented writer who explored new styles in both poetry and novels.

Selected Works

Here are some of Caroline Clive's main published works:

• IX Poems. By V. (1840; 2nd edition 1841)
• I Watched the Heavens: a Poem. By V. (1842)
• The Queen's Ball: a Poem By V. (1847)
• The Valley of the Rea: a Poem By V. (1851)
• The Morlas: a Poem. By V. (1853)
• Paul Ferroll: a Tale. By the Author of "IX Poems," by V. (1855)
• Year after Year. By the Author of "Paul Ferroll" and "IX Poems." (1858)
• Why Paul Ferroll Killed his Wife. (1860; new edition 1864)
• John Greswold. By the Author of "Paul Ferroll." (1864)
• Poems. By V., Author of "Paul Ferroll." Including the "IX Poems." (1872)

Contributions to Magazines

Caroline Clive also wrote many poems and stories for different magazines. Some of these include:

Poems

• The Nursling. In The National Magazine (1857)
• The Chained Eagle. In The National Magazine (1857)
• The First Morning of 1860. In The Cornhill Magazine (1860)
• Christmas 1860. In Hereford Times (1860)
• Seasons. In THE VICTORIA REGIA (1861)
• The Irish All Souls' Night. In The St. James's Magazine (1861)
• November. In THE GOLDEN CALENDAR (1865)

Tales

• Rough Material. In The Metropolitan Magazine (1841)
• The Great Drought. In Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine (1844)
• John Pike Yapp. In The National Magazine (1857)
• The Tower of Hawkstone Castle. In The National Magazine (1857)
• A Christmas Vagary. In The National Magazine (1858)
• Genuine Transactions with Principy Jack. In The National Magazine (1858)
• War—A Tale. In The Constitutional Press (1860)
• "Nadrione Spetnione:" Wishes Fulfilled. In The St. James's Magazine (1861)
• From an Old Gentleman's Diary. In Fraser's Magazine (1865)
• The Wishes Shop. In Fraser's Magazine (1865)
• Ebb and Flow. In The Churchman's Companion (1867)

Play

• A Minute Ago. In The Constitutional Press (1860)

Articles

• Vanity and Self-Esteem. In The New Monthly Belle Assemblee (1847)
• The Swimming School for Women at Paris. In Once a Week (1859)