Harriet Lee (writer) facts for kids

Harriet Lee (born 1757, died 1 August 1851) was an English writer. She wrote novels and plays that were popular in her time. She is best known for her book Canterbury Tales, which even inspired the famous poet Lord Byron.

Early Life and Writing

Harriet Lee was born in London in 1757. Her father, John Lee, was an actor. After he passed away in 1781, Harriet helped her sister, Sophia Lee, run a private school. This school was located at Belvedere House in Bath.

In 1786, Harriet published her first novel called The Errors of Innocence. It was a long story, told through letters written by the characters. This style is called an epistolary form.

She also tried writing plays. Her comedy, The New Peerage, was performed at the Drury Lane theatre in London in 1787. It was shown nine times, but it wasn't a big hit. This made her decide not to write many more plays for the stage.

In 1797, she published another novel, Clara Lennox. This book was so good that it was translated into French the very next year.

Her Most Famous Work: Canterbury Tales

Harriet Lee's most important work was a collection of stories called Canterbury Tales. This book was published in five parts between 1797 and 1805. It was a very popular book.

In 1798, she also wrote a play called The Mysterious Marriage, or the Heirship of Rosalva. However, this play was never performed on stage.

Around this time, a famous writer named William Godwin met Harriet Lee. He was very impressed by her conversations. He even wrote her a letter saying how much he liked talking to her. Godwin was interested in marrying her. However, Harriet decided not to marry him because they had very different ideas about life and beliefs. They did stay in touch for a while, exchanging letters.

Harriet Lee had many friends who were also writers and artists. These included the novelists Jane and Anna Maria Porter. She was also friends with the painter Thomas Lawrence. It is said that Harriet and Sophia Lee were among the first to realize how famous Sir Thomas Lawrence would become. He even gave them portraits he painted of famous actors and generals.

Harriet Lee lived a very long life, reaching the age of 94. People remembered her for her lively conversations, clear thinking, good memory, and kind personality. She passed away in Clifton, Bristol on 1 August 1851.

Influence on Lord Byron

Harriet Lee's Canterbury Tales (published 1797–1805) was her most well-known book. It contained twelve stories told by travelers who met by chance. This idea was clearly inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer's much older and famous book, also called Canterbury Tales.

One of the stories in Harriet Lee's book, called "Kruitzner," greatly influenced the famous poet Lord Byron. When Byron was about 14 years old, he read "Kruitzner." He later wrote that this story made a "deep impression" on him. He felt it contained the "germ" or beginning of many ideas he would later write about.

In 1821, Byron turned "Kruitzner" into a play called Werner, or the Inheritance. He published it in 1822. In the introduction to his play, he openly said that he got the idea from Harriet Lee's story. He even used her characters, setting, and some of her language.

Harriet Lee had actually written her own play based on "Kruitzner" earlier. It was called The Three Strangers. After Byron's play came out, she sent her play to the Covent Garden Theatre in November 1822. Her play was accepted and performed a few years later, in December 1825. It was performed four times. The play was published in 1826.