Dollie Radford facts for kids
Caroline Maitland (born in 1858, died in 1920) was an English poet and writer. She became known by the name "Dollie Radford" after she married Ernest Radford. She wrote many poems and stories, sharing her thoughts and feelings through her words.
About Dollie Radford's Life
Dollie Radford, whose real name was Caroline Maitland, was born in 1858. When she was about 22 years old, in 1880, she met her future husband, Ernest Radford, at the British Museum Reading Room in London. They also met at the home of Karl Marx, a famous thinker.
In 1883, Caroline married Ernest Radford. After her marriage, she started using the name Dollie Radford for her writing. They had three children together. One of their children, Maitland Radford, grew up to be a doctor and a writer, just like his mother. Her grandchildren include Ann MacEwen, who became a planner for towns and parks.
Dollie had many interesting friends. Her sister-in-law, Ada Wallas, was a friend, as was Eleanor Marx. Eleanor was the daughter of Karl Marx and a socialist, meaning she believed in fairness and equality for everyone. Dollie knew Eleanor through a group that read and discussed Shakespeare's plays. Another friend was the writer Amy Levy.
Dollie Radford's original writings and letters are kept in important places. These include the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library at UCLA in the United States and the British Library in London. Many of the papers at the British Library have been made digital. This means you can view them online through Europeana.
Her husband, Ernest Radford, was part of a group called the Rhymers' Club. This was a group of poets who met to share their work. However, Dollie could not join the club herself. This was because, at that time, women were not allowed to be members.
Dollie Radford's Books and Poems
Dollie Radford wrote many books of poems and stories. Here are some of her published works:
- A Light Load (1891)
- Songs for Somebody (1893)
- Good Night (1895)
- Songs and Other Verses (1895)
- One Way of Love: an Idyll (1898)
- The Poet’s Larder and Other Stories (1904)
- The Young Gardeners’ Kalendar (1904)
- Sea-Thrift (1904)
- In Summer Time (1905)
- Shadow-Rabbit, with Gertrude M. Bradley (1906)
- A Ballad of Victory and other poems (1907)
- Poems (1910)
