Caroline Leakey facts for kids

Caroline Woolmer Leakey (born March 8, 1827 – died July 12, 1881) was an English writer. She wrote poems and one novel. Her book, The Broad Arrow, was published under the name Oliné Keese. Her writing was inspired by her five years living in Van Diemen's Land. This place is now known as Tasmania, Australia. She lived there from 1848 to 1853.

Caroline Leakey's Early Life

Caroline Leakey was born in Exeter, England. She was the sixth of eleven children. Her father, James Leakey, was an artist. Her mother was Eliza Hubbard Woolmer.

Caroline often had poor health throughout her life. When she felt well, she loved to read. She also helped with charity and religious activities.

Journey to Australia

In 1847, Caroline sailed to a British colony. This colony was called Van Diemen's Land. She went to join her sister, Eliza. Eliza had moved to Hobart Town earlier. Eliza's husband was Reverend James Medland.

Soon after arriving, Caroline's health got worse. She spent much of her time in the colony in bed. In 1851, she lived for a year at Port Arthur. This was a settlement for convicts.

When she returned to Hobart, she became ill again. Her family asked her to go back to England. She sailed home in March 1853.

Caroline Leakey's Writings

Caroline was encouraged to publish her poems. Bishop Francis Nixon suggested it. She had lived with him in Hobart.

In 1853, she published a collection of poems. It was called Lyra Australis, or Attempts to Sing in a Strange Land. It was released in London. It came out in Hobart in 1854.

The Broad Arrow Novel

In March 1857, Caroline started writing a novel. It was published in 1859 in London. It came out in Hobart in 1860. The novel was titled The Broad Arrow: Being Passages from the History of Maida Gwynnham, a Lifer. She used the pen name "Oliné Keese" for this book.

The Broad Arrow is an important historical book. It was one of the first novels to feature a convict as the main character. It influenced other famous books. One example is For the Term of His Natural Life by Marcus Clarke. Clarke used Leakey's novel as a reference.

After Caroline's death, a shorter version of The Broad Arrow was published. Her original, full version was not printed again until 2019.

Later Life and Works

In 1861, Caroline opened a house in Exeter. It was a place to care for women who needed help. She also wrote many religious pamphlets. She died in 1881 after being sick for eighteen months.