Christabel Rose Coleridge facts for kids

Christabel Rose Coleridge (born May 25, 1843 – died November 14, 1921) was an English writer. She wrote many novels and edited magazines especially for girls. Sometimes, she worked with another well-known writer, Charlotte Mary Yonge. Christabel had traditional ideas about the role of women in society.

Early Life and Family

Christabel was the granddaughter of a famous poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. She was born in Chelsea, London, at St Mark's College. Her father, Derwent Coleridge, was the headmaster there. Christabel's name was inspired by her grandfather's poem, Christabel.

For a while, Christabel helped her brother, Ernest Hartley Coleridge, run a school. However, her biggest dream was to become a writer herself.

Her Books and Friends

Christabel Rose Coleridge wrote more than 15 novels. Her very first book was a historical story for children called Lady Betty, published in 1869. Another book, Minstrel Dick (1896), takes place in the 14th century. It is set in the court of Edward, the Black Prince, in a place called Berkhamsted.

Christabel cared a lot about good morals in her stories. Many of her books were published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. This group helped share Christian ideas through books.

Christabel was good friends with Charlotte Mary Yonge. They were even distantly related through another writer, Mary Elizabeth Coleridge. Christabel and Charlotte worked together on several writing projects. One example is The Miz Maze or The Winkworth Puzzle: A Story in Letters, by Nine Authors (1883).

In the early 1890s, Christabel helped edit The Monthly Packet. Charlotte Yonge had started this magazine 40 years earlier. It was an Anglican magazine for middle-class girls. Christabel became the only editor of The Monthly Packet from 1894 until it stopped being published in 1899. She also edited a magazine for working-class girls who were part of the Girls' Friendly Society. After Charlotte Yonge passed away, Christabel wrote and edited a book about her life called Charlotte Mary Yonge: Her Life and Letters (1903).

Another friend of Christabel's was Frances Mary Peard. Frances wrote over 40 books, mostly novels about home life and collections of short stories.

Later Life and Legacy

Christabel Rose Coleridge had at least 89 of her works published. These appeared in more than 286 different publications.

In 1880, Christabel moved to Torquay when her father retired there. She held traditional views on women's roles in society. She even published a collection of essays about this in 1894, called The Daughters Who Have Not Revolted. Her last novel, Miss Lucy: A Character Study, was published in 1908.

Christabel Rose Coleridge passed away on November 14, 1921, in Torquay, Devon. She was 78 years old.