Ellen Pickering facts for kids

Ellen Pickering (born 1802 – died November 25, 1843) was a British writer. She wrote many novels, which are long stories, often published in three parts. She published sixteen of these novels, with one coming out after she died.

During the 1800s, stories about Romani people (sometimes called "gypsies") were very popular. Ellen Pickering's most famous book was Nan Darrell, or The Gypsy Mother, published in 1839. Her books often mixed history with romance, much like the famous writer Sir Walter Scott.

Life and Writing Career

Ellen Pickering was born in 1802. She was baptized on August 21st in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, which is near her family's home, Foxlease. Her parents were Isaac Pickering and Caroline Collins.

Her family's money came from businesses in the Caribbean. When these businesses became illegal, her family moved to Bathwick, a part of Bath, Somerset in England.

Ellen Pickering started writing early in her life. She became quite successful and reportedly earned a good amount of money each year after she began publishing in 1825. Her stories combined history and romance, similar to the style of Sir Walter Scott. By 1840, Pickering had written sixteen novels.

Her Most Famous Book

Her novel Nan Darrell, or The Gypsy Mother (1839) was her biggest success. It was printed five more times even after she passed away. This book was written shortly after another popular series about Romani people by British writer Hannah Maria Jones.

In the 1800s, it was common for stories to feature Romani characters. Often, these characters were shown in fictional roles, like kidnappers. Nan Darrell, or The Gypsy Mother has a main Romani character who reminds readers of Meg Merrilies from Scott's novel Guy Mannering.

Ellen Pickering died in Bath, Somerset, in 1843. She passed away from scarlet fever. She was buried on November 29th at St Mary's Church, Bathwick. One of her novels, The Grandfather, was not finished when she died. Her friend, the writer Elizabeth Youatt, completed it, and it was published later.

Her Lasting Impact

A historian named Mary Poovey noted that Ellen Pickering was popular when she was alive. However, her books are not as well-known today. Modern scholars who study women's writing still discuss the importance of her work.

Selected Books

The Prince and the Pedlar (1839)

Ellen Pickering wrote a total of sixteen novels. The Grandfather was published after her death.

• The Marriage of the Favourite, or, She Bred Him a Soldier, 1826
• The Heiress, 1833
• Agnes Serle, 1835
• The Merchant's Daughter, 1836
• The Prince and the Pedlar, or The Siege of Bristol, 1839
• The Squire, 1837
• Nan Darrell, or The Gipsy Mother, 1839
• The Fright, 1839
• The Quiet Husband, 1840
• Who Shall Be Heir?, 1840
• The Secret Foe, 1841
• The Expectant, 1842
• Cousin Hinton, or, Friend or Foe?, 1843
• Charades for Acting, 1843
• The Grumbler, 1843
• The Grandfather, 1846 (finished by a friend)