Gertrude Fenton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gertrude Fenton
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Gertrude Fenton woodburytype c.1868
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| Born | Annie Maria Gertrude Thomas 1841 Hampton Wick, Middlesex, United Kingdom |
| Died | 11 April 1884 Isle of Wight, Hampshire |
| Resting place | Carisbrooke cemetery, Isle of Wight |
| Occupation | writer, magazine editor |
| Nationality | English |
| Genre | Fiction |
| Literary movement | Romanticism |
| Notable works | Cora: or, The Romance of Three Years (1869), Carisbrooke magazine (1880/81) |
| Spouse | Arthur Fenton |
Gertrude Fenton (born 1841 – died April 11, 1884) was an English writer and magazine editor. She was known for writing popular romantic stories. Between 1869 and 1871, she published four novels. Her first book, Cora; or, The Romance of Three Years: A Novel, was her most popular.
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About Gertrude Fenton
Gertrude Fenton was born in 1841 in Hampton Wick, Middlesex. Her full name was Annie Maria Gertrude Thomas. Her father, William Lewis Thomas, was a lawyer in London. She spent her early years living in Chelsea.
In 1865, she married Arthur Fenton. His father, John Fenton, was a Member of Parliament. Arthur's brother, Roger Fenton, was a famous photographer.
Life on the Isle of Wight
In 1871, Gertrude and Arthur lived in Norfolk. By 1881, they had moved to Freshwater on the Isle of Wight. While living there, Gertrude and her husband started a magazine. It was called The Carisbrooke Magazine.
The magazine featured articles by both new and well-known writers. It also included stories about famous people like the stage actor Henry Irving. The magazine was published from 1880 to 1881. Gertrude Fenton became unwell around this time. She passed away on April 11, 1884, and was buried in Carisbrooke Cemetery.
Her Books and Stories
Gertrude Fenton wrote four romantic novels. These were published between 1869 and 1871. She also wrote a shorter story, called a novelette, in 1873. Her first novel, Cora; or, The Romance of Three Years, was her most successful. Her last novel was Is Lady Clara Dead?.
Sensation Fiction
Her books are examples of sensation fiction. This type of story was very popular in the mid-Victorian era. Sensation fiction often included exciting plots, secrets, and dramatic events.
Cora was published by F. Enos Arnold in London. It was a single volume book, often called a yellow-back. These books were designed to be fun to read. They were often sold at railway stations. Cora had a bright, colorful cover. It was made using a printing method called chromoxylography. The book was mainly for young female readers. A magazine called St. James' Magazine and United Empire Review reviewed Cora. They said the story was a bit unbelievable but still very entertaining.
Other Novels
Because Cora was so successful, F. E. Arnold published three more of her novels in 1871.
- The Wicked Lady was one of these books. Part of its story takes place in a mental hospital. A playwright named Brandon Ellis turned this novel into a play. He toured with the play in 1874.
- Revenge was another romance novel. It had a maroon cover with "St. James Series" on it. This was a way to make it look different from the bright yellow-back books. The Spectator Literary Review gave Revenge a good review. They called it a 'thrilling romance'.
