Elizabeth Moxon facts for kids
Elizabeth Moxon was an English writer who lived in the 1700s. She is famous for her very important cookbook called English Housewifry. People remember her as one of the first women to write about cooking in England.
Her book was written to help women who managed households, from wealthy ladies to house servants. It was based on Moxon's 30 years of cooking and managing a home. The book had many recipes for things like soups, main dishes, pastries, pickles, cakes, and homemade wines. It also included meal plans for each month, with pictures and tips on how to arrange dishes on a table, just like they did in the 1700s.
About English Housewifry
Moxon's book, English Housewifry, was first printed in Leeds in 1741. The publisher was James Lister, who also owned the Leeds Mercury newspaper. The book became very popular and sold many copies.
A Cookbook for Everyone
From its second printing in 1743, the book was sold in London as well as in Yorkshire. This was a big deal because it was probably the first cookbook from a smaller town to become popular in the capital city.
Later, in 1758, the eighth edition of the book came out. It had even more recipes that Moxon had gathered from other women in her area. The book continued to be reprinted by the Wright family until 1790. The sixteenth edition was printed in London in 1808.
Moxon's Life
Not much is known about Elizabeth Moxon's personal life. We know that people could buy her book directly from her in Pontefract in the 1740s. Her home there and her many years of experience in managing a household are almost all the details we have about her.
Her Legacy
In 2019, a special blue plaque was put up for Elizabeth Moxon at Pontefract Town Hall. This was part of a project called the Forgotten Women of Wakefield. The plaque will be placed on her old home on Finkle Street, honoring her contributions.
