Ellen Forrester facts for kids

Ellen Forrester (1828 – 1883) was an important Irish poet and a strong supporter of Irish independence. She wrote many poems and songs, often about her love for Ireland. She also worked hard to support her family through her writing.

Early Life and Family

Ellen Forrester was born Ellen Magennis in 1828. She was likely born in a place called Clones, County Monaghan, in Ireland. She was one of seven children. Her father was a schoolmaster, and he taught her at home. People believed she got her talent for poetry from her mother. Her mother was originally Presbyterian but later became Catholic. One of Ellen's brothers, Bernard Magennis, also became a journalist.

When Ellen was 17, she moved to England. She first worked in Liverpool as a governess, looking after children. Later, she moved to Manchester. In 1847, she married a stonemason named Michael Forrester. Sadly, Michael died young in 1865 from a serious illness. This left Ellen to care for their five children, who were all ten years old or younger.

A Poet and Nationalist

Ellen had been writing poetry for most of her life. After her husband died, she started sending her poems to English and Irish magazines to earn money for her family. Three of her own children also became poets: Arthur, Fanny, and Mary.

Ellen Forrester was a very dedicated Irish nationalist. This meant she strongly believed in Ireland being an independent country. She helped raise money for the defense of the Manchester Martyrs. These were Irish nationalists who were arrested in England. Her son, Arthur, joined a group called the Irish Republican Brotherhood in 1866. This group worked for Irish independence.

When Arthur was arrested in 1869, Ellen asked her friend, Michael Davitt, for help. Davitt was also a well-known Irish nationalist. When Davitt himself was in prison, he wanted Ellen to visit him. However, the prison authorities said no. They saw her as a "notorious Fenian-sympathiser," meaning they thought she was a strong supporter of the Fenians, who were a group fighting for Irish freedom.

Around 1860, Ellen published her first book of poems, called Simple Strains. In 1869, she released another collection of songs titled Songs of the Rising Nation. This book also included poems written by her children, Arthur and Fanny.

Towards the end of her life, Ellen faced many challenges. She struggled with poverty and poor health. Despite this, people who knew her said she always had a good sense of humor. In 1872, she asked for help from a fund for writers, explaining that she had physical challenges and depended on her two daughters, who worked in factories. Her request for help was not approved. Ellen Forrester passed away on January 6, 1883, in Salford, Greater Manchester. She was buried in a local Catholic cemetery.

Remembering Ellen Forrester

In April 2022, a biography about Ellen Forrester was published. It appeared in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Her daughter, Fanny Forrester, who was also a poet, was featured alongside her. This helped to remember Ellen's important contributions to Irish poetry and nationalism.