Catherine Ann Dorset facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Catherine Ann Turner Dorset
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| Born | Catherine Ann Turner 1752 Stoke next Guildford, Surrey |
| Died | 1834 Chichester |
| Pen name | "A Lady" |
| Occupation | Writer, Poet |
| Nationality | British |
| Genre | Children's books |
| Notable works |
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| Spouse | Captain Michael Dorset |
| Children | Lucy Smith Dorset and Charles Ferguson Dorset |
Catherine Ann Turner Dorset (1752 – 1834) was a British author who wrote poems for children. It was quite unusual for a woman to have such a successful writing career back then. Catherine Ann first published works anonymously with her sister, Charlotte. Her most famous books came out after she became a full-time writer, especially after her husband, Michael Dorset, passed away.
About Catherine Ann's Life
"The Gentleman's Magazine" – November 1807 – "The Peacock 'at Home'" – Praise (Urban 1807)
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"The Gentleman's Magazine" – March 1808 – "The Peacock 'at Home'" – Criticism (Urban 1808)
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Catherine Ann Turner was born in Stoke next Guildford, Surrey, in 1752. She was baptized on January 17, 1753. Her parents were Nicholas Turner, a landowner, and Anna Towers. Sadly, her mother died in 1752, possibly due to Catherine Ann's birth.
Catherine Ann had two siblings: a brother named Nicholas and an older sister, Charlotte. After their mother's death, their father traveled abroad for about five years. So, their aunt Lucy Towers raised the three children.
In 1764, her father remarried Henrietta Meriton. Catherine Ann married Michael Dorset sometime between 1767 and 1771. Michael was an army captain. Catherine Ann and Michael had two children: a daughter, Lucy Smith Dorset, and a son, Charles Ferguson Dorset. Charles also joined the army and wrote some poetry.
Catherine Ann supported her siblings when they needed help. However, she also had disagreements with them sometimes.
Her Famous Books
Catherine Ann's sister, Charlotte, was more famous until 1807. That year, Catherine Ann published a story that was both fun and educational. It was called The Peacock 'at Home': A sequel to the Butterfly's Ball.
The Peacock 'at Home' made gentle fun of the social habits of rich people. It also taught children about different birds in a fun way. The book was first published anonymously, meaning no author name was given, just "by A Lady." The poem was written in happy, rhyming verses.
The book had illustrations by the Irish painter William Mulready. It was seen as a follow-up to The Butterfly's Ball, and the Grasshopper's Feast by William Roscoe. Some people even thought Catherine Ann's sequel was better than the original!
The Peacock 'at Home' was very popular. It sold 40,000 copies as part of John Harris's Cabinet series. People discussed her poems in The Gentleman's Magazine. Some praised the book, saying it was great to see a sequel that was better than the first book. Others made comments about it being published by a woman.
Because of its success, the series was continued. Catherine Ann also wrote Think before you Speak, or, The Three Wishes. This story was based on an old French poem.
Catherine Ann also wrote about her sister's life. This account was included in Walter Scott's Miscellaneous Prose Works in 1827. She spent her later years in Brighton and passed away in Chichester around 1834-1835.
Family Tree
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