Elizabeth Yeats facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Yeats
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1887 portrait by John Butler Yeats
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| Born | 11 March 1868 |
| Died | 16 January 1940 (aged 71) |
| Nationality | English/Irish |
| Education | Dublin Metropolitan School of Art Froebel College |
| Occupation | Educator Publisher |
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| Relatives | W. B. Yeats (brother) Jack Butler Yeats (brother) Lily Yeats (sister) |
Elizabeth Corbet Yeats (born March 11, 1868 – died January 16, 1940) was an amazing Anglo-Irish educator and publisher. People often called her Lolly. She was a talented art teacher and wrote many books about art. Lolly also helped start the Dun Emer Press, which published books by her famous brother, W. B. Yeats. She was the very first person in Ireland to run a commercial printing business using only hand presses!
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Elizabeth Corbet Yeats was born in London, England. Her father was John Butler Yeats, a well-known Irish artist. Her mother was Susan Yeats. Lolly had three siblings: W. B. Yeats, Jack Yeats, and Lily Yeats.
When she was four, Lolly lived in Sligo, Ireland, with her grandfather. Later, her family moved back to London. She had a governess, Martha Jowitt, who taught her at home for a few years.
In 1881, Lolly and her family moved to Howth, County Dublin, Ireland. She and her sister Susan started studying art at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art in 1883. They also took classes at the Royal Dublin Society.
Creative Beginnings
The family moved back to London in 1886. While there, Lolly began writing stories. She even helped create a homemade magazine called The Pleiades with her friends. She wrote a story for its Christmas 1888 issue.
Lolly also attended the Chiswick School of Art with her sister Lily and brother Jack. There, she learned many art skills. These included drawing, geometry, perspective, and painting pottery.
In the 1890s, Lolly trained to become a kindergarten teacher at the Froebel College in England. After finishing her training in 1892, she taught art at several schools.
A Career in Art and Publishing
Lolly became a successful art teacher and writer. She wrote and illustrated four popular books about painting. These included Brushwork (1896) and Elementary Brushwork Studies (1900). These books helped young children learn how to paint flowers and plants.
Before her family moved back to Dublin in 1900, Lolly was part of William Morris's art group in London. William Morris was famous for his Arts and Crafts movement. Lolly also studied printing with the Women's Printing Society in London. This was suggested by Emery Walker, who worked with Morris.
Starting Dun Emer Press
In Dublin, Lolly and her sister Lily joined Evelyn Gleeson to create the Dun Emer Guild. Lily was an embroiderer. The name "Dun Emer" came from an Irish folklore hero's wife, Lady Emer, who was known for her beauty and artistic skills.
Lolly took charge of the Dun Emer Press starting in 1902. She bought a printing press from a local newspaper. The press was located at Evelyn Gleeson's house in Dundrum, Dublin. The goal was to teach young women skills like bookbinding, printing, embroidery, and weaving.
In 1903, Dun Emer Press printed its first book. It was In the Seven Woods by Lolly's brother, W. B. Yeats. Lolly was a very skilled printer. However, the press sometimes faced money problems.
Founding Cuala Press
Lolly had some disagreements with her brother William about how the books should be edited. She also had challenges working with Evelyn Gleeson. In 1906, Lolly traveled to New York to promote her products. Dun Emer Press published its last book, William's Discoveries, when she returned.
In 1908, Lolly and her brother William started a new company called the Cuala Press. Lolly managed the printing side of the business. Her sister Lily was in charge of the embroidery section. Cuala Press published more than 70 books, including 48 by W. B. Yeats.
Cuala Press created many beautiful books. These included W. B. Yeats' The green helmet and other poems (1910) and a series of Broadsides. These Broadsides were published from 1908 to 1915 and featured illustrations by her brother Jack Yeats.
Elizabeth Yeats was a pioneer in printing. She was the first person in Ireland to run a commercial printing business using only hand presses. She continued to work with Cuala Press until shortly before her death in 1940.
See also
- Responsibilities and Other Poems
