Ellen Olney Kirk facts for kids
Ellen Warner Olney Kirk (born in 1842, died in 1928) was an American writer. She wrote many novels, mostly about romance. Her stories often took place in big cities like New York or Philadelphia.
Contents
Growing Up
Ellen Warner Olney was born in a town called Southington, Connecticut. Her dad, Jesse Olney, was a geographer and a teacher. Her mom was Elizabeth Barnes Olney. Ellen's uncle, Alfred Smith Barnes, was a famous publisher.
Her Writing Career
Ellen started writing when she was young. But she didn't publish her first book until she was 34 years old! She sometimes used a pen name, "Henry Hayes," for her early novels.
Famous Books by Ellen Olney Kirk
Some of her popular novels include:
- Love in Idleness (1876-1877)
- His Heart's Desire (1878)
- The Story of Margaret Kent (1886)
- Sons and Daughters (1887)
- Queen Money (1888)
- A Daughter of Eve (1889)
- Walford (1890)
- Ciphers (1891)
- The Story of Lawrence Garthe (1894)
- Revolt of a Daughter (1897)
- Dorothy and her Friends (1899)
- A Remedy for Love (1902)
- Good-bye, Proud World (1903)
- Marcia (1907)
Writing Style
People who read her books thought her stories were a bit old-fashioned, especially after the year 1900. But many readers still loved her familiar plots. They also liked that her books didn't try to teach big social lessons.
Books for Young Readers
In 1898, Ellen wrote a Christmas book especially for young people. It was called Dorothy Deane: A Children's Story. An artist from Philadelphia, Sarah Stilwell Weber, drew the pictures for this book.
Her Family Life
In 1879, Ellen Warner Olney married John Foster Kirk. He was also a writer, an editor, and a librarian. Ellen became a widow when he passed away in 1904. She lived until 1928, dying in Philadelphia at 86 years old.
