Charlotte Chanter facts for kids

Charlotte Chanter (born Kingsley) was an English writer. She lived from 1828 to 1882. She is best known for a book about ferns. This book helped start a popular trend in Victorian England. People became very excited about collecting ferns, especially in Devonshire.

Who Was Charlotte Chanter?

Charlotte Kingsley was born in Devon, England. Her father was Reverend Charles Kingsley. She had two older brothers, Charles and Henry. Both of her brothers became famous writers. Her niece, Lucas Malet, also became a novelist. Charlotte grew up in a place called Clovelly in Devon. Her father worked there as a church leader. Later, she moved to London in 1836. Her husband, John Mills Chanter, became a vicar in Ilfracombe.

The Fern Craze: Pteridomania

In 1856, Charlotte Chanter wrote a book called Ferny Combes. This book was the first to show how many different ferns grew in Devonshire. Her book focused on ferns found near the coast. Many people loved her book. It helped make collecting ferns a huge hobby. People would even dig up rare ferns. This made some types of ferns harder to find.

Her brother Charles Kingsley gave this hobby a special name: pteridomania. This word means "fern madness" or "fern craze." It shows how popular fern collecting became during that time.

Charlotte's Other Writings

Charlotte Chanter also wrote a novel in 1861. It was called Over the Cliffs. This book was a bit mysterious and exciting. It had parts that were like a gothic novel and a "sensation novel." The story was about a murder and a family inheritance. People at the time said it was a good book.

Books by Charlotte Chanter

• Ferny Combes: A Ramble After Ferns in the Glens and Valleys of Devonshire (1856)
• Over the Cliffs (1861)