Evelyn Whitaker facts for kids
Evelyn Whitaker (born in 1844, died in 1929) was an English author who wrote many books for children. Her stories were known for being charming, pure, and healthy. She often wrote about important topics like poverty and sickness. Most of her books were published without her name on them.
About Evelyn Whitaker
Evelyn Whitaker was born in Herne Bay, Kent. She was the seventh child in her family. Her father, Edward Whitaker, was a lawyer. Evelyn went to the Ladies College in Bedford Square, which later became part of the University of London.
She lived to be 84 years old and passed away in Hammersmith, which is now part of London. She never married and often lived with her sisters.
Evelyn Whitaker's name was kept secret until 1903. She wrote 19 novels and many shorter stories. These books were published in different countries like Britain, Australia, Canada, and the United States between 1879 and 1915.
Many of her books had beautiful covers and pictures inside. People praised her writing style for being clear, simple, and elegant. One of her books, Tip Cat, was even used to help German students learn English! Her stories were described as "charming, pure, and wholesome," and full of "humour and pathos" (meaning they were funny and also made you feel sad).
Even more than ten years after Evelyn Whitaker died, her two most popular books, Miss Toosey's Mission and Laddie, were still being printed. These small novels often had religious or moral lessons. They were given out as prizes, especially at Sunday school for good attendance. While the paper and ink were often simple, the books usually had attractive covers.
What She Wrote About
Evelyn Whitaker's novels often showed that she knew a lot about life in a vicarage (a church minister's home) or a doctor's house. These places were common settings in her stories. Her writing also showed her traditional Anglican religious beliefs.
In some of her books, like Miss Toosey's Mission, Tip Cat, and Lil, she mentioned different religious groups of her time, such as Dissenters and Methodism.
She also loved childhood nurseries, dogs, and flowers. She often used the Victorian idea of the language of flowers, where different flowers have special meanings. She wrote about the good and bad parts of life for both rich and poor children. She knew the busy streets of London well, as well as the quiet beauty of the countryside.
Evelyn Whitaker noticed the struggles of poor people in cities. She also wrote about farm workers who lost their jobs because of new factories, and mill workers. She even touched on how women in the late 1800s wanted better education and more chances to earn money.
Because she spent her life helping sick people, Evelyn Whitaker knew a lot about sick rooms, hospitals, and death. These topics often appeared in her novels. For example, Tip Cat talks about scarlet fever, Gay mentions diphtheria, and Lassie describes typhoid. These stories helped teach people about fevers, public health, and staying clean. Laddie and Lassie also explored how sons and daughters cared for their aging parents differently.
It's important to know that while some people thought she wrote them, Evelyn Whitaker was not the author of Honor Bright, or the four leaved shamrock or Gilly Flower (from 1889). Many of Evelyn Whitaker's books have been put online, so you can read them today!
