Georgina Castle Smith facts for kids
Georgina Castle Smith (born Georgina Meyrick, 9 May 1845 – 27 December 1933) was a popular English writer. She wrote many children's books that taught important lessons. She used the pen name Brenda. Some of her stories talked about the needs of homeless children. She encouraged people to help them by giving food and clothes.
Early Life
Georgina was born in Bayswater, London, on 9 May 1845. She was the fourth child of William Meyrick and Eliza James. As a child, she often felt unwell with hay fever and asthma. This meant she spent a lot of time reading books.
Her Books and Career
All of Georgina's books were published under her pen name, Brenda. Her first book was Nothing to Nobody (1873). This story was about poverty and helping others. It told the tale of a Sunday school teacher who helped an orphan boy. This book was also published in the United States.
The success of Nothing to Nobody encouraged Brenda to write more. Her second book was Froggy's Little Brother (around 1875). This story was about two orphan boys in East London. It sold well for 50 years and was often given as a prize in schools. A film based on the book was even made in 1921.
The pictures for Froggy's Little Brother were drawn by Castle Smith. He and Georgina married soon after. They settled in St John's Wood and had five children.
Brenda published 13 more children's books over the next 15 years. Another eight books came out between 1890 and 1932. This included a follow-up to Froggy's Little Brother in 1914. One of her books, Five Little Partridges, or, The Pilot's House, was about a middle-class family's seaside holiday. This might have been inspired by her own children. She also wrote two books for adult readers, including The Secret Terror (1909).
Later Life
Georgina and her family later moved to Lyme Regis in Dorset. She passed away at her home there on 27 December 1933. She was buried in the local cemetery. The town of Lyme Regis appears in her book The Earl's Granddaughter (1895). This story describes how a rich girl learns to do good deeds for others.
