Edward Augustus Kendall facts for kids

Edward Augustus Kendall (born around 1776 – died 1842) was a writer, translator, and social campaigner from Britain. He is remembered for his books for children and his travels.

Biography

Edward Augustus Kendall was born in about 1776.

Books for Children

While some people know Kendall for his book about traveling in the United States, his most famous works are his children's books. He wrote about animals in a new and special way, giving them voices and feelings.

Before Kendall, animal characters in stories were often used for fables or satire. But Kendall helped change this. He made animal characters seem more real and easier to understand. His books, like Keeper's Travels in Search of His Master, Crested Wren, and Burford Cottage and its Robin Red Breast, were early examples of stories that later inspired famous books like Water Babies and The Wind in the Willows. Kendall was one of the first writers to really try and show what animals might be thinking and feeling.

Travels and Other Work

Between 1807 and 1808, Kendall traveled through the northern parts of the United States. He later published a large book about his journeys called Travels through the northern parts of the United States.

After his travels in the US, Kendall spent several years working for the Hudson's Bay Company in Canada. He also spent time in British India and the Cape Colony in South Africa.

Social Ideas and Publications

When Kendall returned to England in 1817, he suggested creating a helpful organization in London. It was called The Patriotic Metropolitan Colonial Institution. Its goal was to assist new settlers moving to British colonies.

He also suggested creating new communities for people of mixed heritage. These communities would help those who were facing difficulties in society at the time. In the same publication, he proposed setting up free schools for Chemistry and Mathematics. These schools would also have a free library for people who couldn't afford an education.

In 1819, Kendall started a magazine called The Literary Chronicle and Weekly Review. It ran until 1828. Later, he founded another magazine, The Olio, or Museum of Entertainment, which published eleven volumes between 1828 and 1833.

In 1836, Kendall wrote Letters to a Friend. In this book, he shared his strong opinions on how the government should manage religious matters in Ireland and Great Britain.

Translations and Later Life

In 1815, Kendall translated a book by Louis Bonaparte called Marie, ou Les peines de l'amour. Kendall's English version was titled Marie, or the Hollanders.

Towards the end of his life, Kendall wrote The English Boy at the Cape. This was one of the first novels to be set in South Africa.

Edward Augustus Kendall died on October 14, 1842, in Pimlico, at the age of 66. He was also a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, which means he was a member of a group dedicated to studying old things and history.