Dorothea Fairbridge facts for kids

Dorothea Ann Fairbridge, also known as Dora Fairbridge, was a South African writer. She was born in 1862 and passed away on August 25, 1931. She also helped start an important group called the Guild of Loyal Women.

Dorothea Fairbridge's Life

Dorothea Fairbridge grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. Her father was a well-known lawyer and a member of the government in Cape Town. She was also a cousin of Kingsley Fairbridge, a poet who started the Fairbridge Society. Dorothea studied in London, England, and traveled to many different places.

Helping During the Boer War

Dorothea Fairbridge was a respected member of the British community in South Africa. She met many British women who came to South Africa before and during the Second Boer War. This war was fought between the British Empire and two independent Boer states in South Africa.

Dorothea was a founding member of the Guild of Loyal Women. This group was a charity that supported women in South Africa. It also helped the British Empire and its soldiers during the war. The Guild made sure that families of soldiers who died were contacted. They also made sure that soldiers' graves were properly marked and recorded.

When the Guild sent members to Britain to explain their work and raise money, other important women in Britain formed the Victoria League. This new group aimed to create stronger connections between different organizations across the British Empire. These women included Violet Markham, Edith Lyttelton, Violet Cecil, and Margaret, Countess of Jersey. They had all met Dorothea Fairbridge.

After the War

After the Boer War, Dorothea Fairbridge continued to work for South Africa to be a part of the British Empire. She wanted to help create the Union of South Africa. This union aimed to bring people together and share a common history. The Union of South Africa was set up to keep strong ties with the rest of the British Empire.

Dorothea Fairbridge's Books

Dorothea Fairbridge wrote many books, including novels, history books, and travel guides.

Novels

• That Which Hath Been (1910) — This novel is set in the early history of the Cape region in South Africa.
• Piet of Italy (1913)
• The Torch Bearer (1915)
• The Uninvited (1926)

History and Travel Guides

• History of South Africa (1917) — This book was written for schools.
• Historic Houses of South Africa (1922) — This book looks at old Dutch farmhouses in the Cape.
• Along Cape Roads (1928) — A guide for travelers exploring the Cape region.
• The Pilgrim's Way in South Africa (1928) — Another travel guide.
• Historic Farms of South Africa (1932) — This book also studied old Dutch farmhouses in the Cape.
• Gardens of South Africa (1934) — This book includes tips for gardening in South Africa and information about local wild flowers.

Edited Works

Dorothea Fairbridge also edited the Cape diaries of Lady Anne Barnard in 1924.