Emily Marion Harris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emily Marion Harris
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| Born | 7 June 1844 London, United Kingdom |
| Died | 5 December 1900 (aged 56) London, United Kingdom |
| Resting place | Willesden Jewish Cemetery, London Borough of Brent |
| Pen name | E. M. H., Estelle |
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| Language | English |
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| Notable works | Estelle (1878) Benedictus (1887) |
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Emily Marion Harris (born June 7, 1844 – died December 5, 1900) was an English writer, poet, and social worker. She wrote many stories and poems about Jewish life in London. Her work often explored the challenges Jewish people faced as they tried to keep their traditions while also fitting into wider society.
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About Emily Marion Harris
Emily Marion Harris was born in London. Her parents, Sarah and Aaron Lascelles Harris, were Jewish. Her mother, Sarah, was a teacher. She also helped many poor Jewish families in East London.
Emily came from a family of educators. Her grandmother, Leah Barnett, was in charge of the girls' section at the Jews' Free School. Her aunt, Miriam Harris, was the headmistress of the school's nursery.
Helping Young Women
In 1887, Emily Harris started leading the West Central Jewish Girls' Club in Soho. She co-founded this club with Lily Montagu. Important women like Lady Charlotte de Rothschild and Constance Rothschild, Lady Battersea supported it.
The club offered evening classes, fun activities, and social events. It was for young working women living in the West Central area of London. This club grew from a Sabbath school that Emily, her sisters, and her mother ran at their home for poor Jewish girls.
Friendship with Robert Browning
Emily Harris was good friends with the famous poet Robert Browning. They met in 1883 and often wrote letters to each other. Robert Browning would sometimes ask her for advice about Jewish topics.
Her Later Life
Emily Harris passed away in 1900 at her home in Tavistock Square, London. She died after a short illness with pneumonia. Her funeral service was led by a Jewish cantor from the Great Synagogue. A Reform rabbi also gave a speech praising her.
After her death, a place called the Emily Harris Home for Jewish Working Girls was named in her memory. This home provided meals and a place to stay for Jewish working women.
Her Books and Writings
Emily Harris is best known for her novels, Estelle (published in 1878) and its follow-up, Benedictus (published in 1887). These books showed the importance of Jewish traditions when some people were moving away from them.
In Estelle, the main character is a young Jewish artist. She faces challenges between her faith and her desire for independence. She decides to live independently rather than marry someone outside her faith. This novel was highly praised. One review called it "a thoroughly picturesque story of Jewish life."
Books for Children
In 1889, Emily Harris published The Narrative of the Holy Bible. This book contained Bible stories she had originally written for the children of Leopold de Rothschild.
Her last book was a children's story called Rosalind (published in 1895). It's about a girl who is recovering from an illness. She spends time at Hampton Court Palace and meets three parrots who tell her stories about their lives.
Other Works
Emily Harris also gave a sermon (a religious talk) at the Bayswater Synagogue in 1899. It was titled "Woman—Then and Now" and was published later. She also wrote a poem after the death of Baroness de Rothschild, which was included in a book of Jewish poems in 1917.
