Dinah Craik facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dinah Craik
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1887 portrait by Hubert von Herkomer
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Dinah Maria Mulock
April 20, 1826 Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England
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| Died | 12 October 1887 (aged 61) Shortlands, London, England
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| Spouse(s) | George Lillie Craik |
Dinah Maria Craik (born Dinah Maria Mulock) was an English writer. She lived from 1826 to 1887. She wrote many novels and poems. People often called her Miss Mulock or Mrs. Craik. She is most famous for her book John Halifax, Gentleman. This novel showed what life was like for middle-class families in England during the Victorian era.
Contents
About Dinah Craik
Early Life and Education
Dinah was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, in 1826. Her parents were Dinah and Thomas Mulock. She grew up in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Her father was a minister there. Even though her family faced some tough times, Dinah got a good education. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be a writer.
Moving to London and Family Life
Around 1846, Dinah moved to London. She quickly made new friends who encouraged her writing. She especially loved writing stories for young people. In 1865, she married George Lillie Craik. He was a partner in a big publishing company called Macmillan & Company. In 1869, Dinah and George adopted a baby girl named Dorothy.
Later Years and Legacy
Dinah Craik passed away on October 12, 1887, at the age of 61. She died from heart problems at her home in Shortlands, England. Her last book, An Unknown Country, was published the same year she died. Her adopted daughter, Dorothy, later married Alexander Pilkington.
Dinah Craik's Famous Books
Dinah Mulock started her writing career with the novel Cola Monti in 1849. That same year, she wrote her first long novel, The Ogilvies, which was very popular. She continued to write many successful books like Olive (1850) and The Head of the Family (1851). She also wrote fairy tales, such as Alice Learmont in 1852.
John Halifax, Gentleman
In 1857, Dinah published the book she is best known for: John Halifax, Gentleman. This novel showed the good values and ways of life for English middle-class families. It became very popular and helped her become a well-known author.
Other Important Works
After John Halifax, she wrote A Life for a Life (1859). This book earned even more money and was widely read. Other popular novels include Mistress and Maid (1863) and Christian's Mistake (1865). She also wrote books that taught lessons, like A Woman's Thoughts about Women.
Later in her career, Dinah Craik wrote more imaginative stories. One of her most successful was The Little Lame Prince (1874). She also published a collection of her poems in 1881, called Poems of Thirty Years, New and Old. Some of her poems, like "Douglas, Douglas, Tender and True," became very famous.
Stories and Poems
Dinah Craik wrote many short stories and poems that appeared in magazines. Here are some of them:
Short Stories and Sketches
- "The Man in Green" (1846)
- "The Emigrant's Wives. A Passage from Real Life" (1846)
- "The Story of Erminia" (1847)
- "Elspeth Sutherland (A Tale)" (1847)
- "Running Away. A Schoolmaster's Story" (1868)
- "In the Happy Valley" (1869)
- "His Little Mother" (1878)
- "Poor Prin. A True Story" (1879)
Early Poems
- "Song of the Hours" (1841)
- "A March Song" (1844)
- "The Shepherd's Wife" (1844)
- "Forgive One Another" (1844)
- "Good Seed" (1845)
- "The Garden in the Churchyard" (1845)
- "The Poet's Mission" (1846)
- "The Water-Lily" (1846)
- "Happiness" (1847)
- "Growing Old Together" (1847)
Images for kids
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1887 portrait by Hubert von Herkomer
See also
In Spanish: Dinah Craik para niños
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Garnett, Richard (1894). "Mulock, Dinah Maria". Dictionary of National Biography 39. Ed. Sidney Lee. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
- Dinah Craik: Free scores at the International Music Score Library Project
