Elizabeth Hervey (writer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Hervey
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| Born | Elizabeth March 1748 |
| Died | 1820 (aged 71–72) |
| Occupation | writer |
| Language | English |
| Years active | 1788–1814 |
| Spouse | Alexander Harvie; William Thomas Hervey |
| Relatives | William Beckford (brother) |
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Elizabeth Hervey (1748–1820) was a talented writer who wrote seven novels. Six of her books were published, and one is still a special handwritten manuscript. She was known for her interesting stories that often explored important ideas.
About Elizabeth Hervey's Life
Elizabeth March was born in 1748. Her mother was Maria Hamilton, and her father was Francis March, who worked in business. After her father passed away, her mother married William Beckford, a wealthy politician.
When Elizabeth was still a teenager, she married Alexander Harvie. He died in 1765, making her a widow at just 17 years old. Later, in 1774, she married Colonel William Thomas Hervey. They had two sons. Their marriage ended around 1778.
Elizabeth Hervey was the older half-sister of William Beckford, who became a famous art collector and writer. They wrote letters to each other when they were younger.
Later, William Beckford wrote a book called Azemia in 1797. This book made fun of women writers who wrote sentimental novels, including Elizabeth Hervey. This made her quite upset, even though many people today think her writing was better than some of the others he criticized.
Elizabeth Hervey's Novels
Elizabeth Hervey's first five novels were published without her name on them. This sometimes made it hard for people to know she wrote them. For example, her second novel, Louisa (1790), was mistakenly thought to be written by another author, Jane West.
Her third novel, The history of Ned Evans (1796), tells the story of someone held captive. It also touched on the Irish nationalist movement of the time. Her last novel, Amabel; or, Memoirs of A Woman of Fashion (1814), was the only one published with her name on the cover. She dedicated this book to the queen, Queen Charlotte.
Hervey's novels were very popular and were printed many times. At least four of her books were even translated into French. These included The history of Ned Evans, The church of St. Siffrid, The Mourtray Family, and Amabel.
Hervey's books were often published by the Minerva Press, a well-known publishing company of that era. Both her first novel and the second edition of her last novel were published by them.
In 1986, a writer named Dale Spender listed Elizabeth Hervey as one of 106 "lost" women writers in her book Mothers of the Novel. This helped bring attention back to Hervey's important contributions to literature.
List of Hervey's Novels
- Melissa and Marcia; or the sisters: a novel. Published in London in 1788.
- Louisa. A novel. Published in London in 1790.
- The history of Ned Evans. Published in London in 1796.
- The church of St. Siffrid. Published in London in 1797.
- The Mourtray Family. A novel. Published in London in 1800.
- Amabel; or, Memoirs of A Woman of Fashion. Published in London in 1814.
See also
- List of Minerva Press authors
