Fidelia (pseudonym) facts for kids
Fidelia was a popular pseudonym (a fake name) used by many writers in English during the 1700s. The name comes from the Latin word fidelitas, which means faithfulness or loyalty.
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What is Fidelia?
The name Fidelia was often chosen because of its meaning: faithfulness. This made it a good choice for writers who wanted to suggest honesty or loyalty in their work. It was a common way for authors to hide their true identity while still publishing their writings.
Writers Who Used Fidelia
Many writers used Fidelia as a pen name for their stories and poems.
Main Characters Named Fidelia
Hester Chapone used Fidelia as the name for her main character, or protagonist, in a story called "The Story of Fidelia." This story appeared in an English newspaper called The Adventurer between 1753 and 1754. Another writer, Mary Ann Radcliffe, also used Fidelia for a character in one of her short, emotional stories.
Authors Using Fidelia as a Pen Name
Several writers used Fidelia as their own author's name when they published their work. These included:
- Mary Astell (1666–1731), an English writer.
- Jane Barker (1652–1732), another English writer.
- Sarah Prince Gill (1728–1771), an American writer.
- Hannah Griffitts (1727–1817), an American writer who was a Quaker.
- Sukey Vickery (1779–1821), another American writer.
A Poetic Challenge in England
Back in England, a poet from Lincoln used the name Fidelia in a magazine called The Gentleman's Magazine around 1734–1735. This poet might have been Keziah (who died in 1742), a sister of the famous religious leader John Wesley.
She wrote a poem that made fun of a £50 prize offered for poetry, saying it wasn't even enough to buy a candle! Instead, she jokingly suggested the prize should be marriage to the famous writer Jonathan Swift. This funny idea led to a series of poems exchanged with other poets like Jane Brereton (1685–1740) from Wales and Elizabeth Carter (1717–1806) from England.
Fidelia as a Compliment
Sometimes, even today, the name Fidelia is used to describe a woman in a positive way. It can be a compliment, suggesting that she is loyal, trustworthy, or faithful.
See also
- List of pseudonyms
