Henrietta Keddie facts for kids

Henrietta Keddie (1827–1914) was a Scottish writer who wrote many books. She used the pen name Sarah Tytler. Her stories about everyday life and families became very popular, especially with women. She also wrote books that gave advice to girls.

Her Life Story

Henrietta Keddie was born in Cupar, Fife, Scotland, on March 4, 1827. Her father, Philip Keddie, was a lawyer. Her mother was Mary Gibb. Henrietta spent her summer holidays at Grange Farm, near Elie and Earlsferry. Her father owned a coalmine there.

Henrietta was taught by her older sister, Margaret. She also went to school in Leith for a while. In the 1840s, her family faced difficulties. In 1848, Henrietta and three of her sisters started a school in Cupar.

After her parents and most of her brothers and sisters passed away, Henrietta and Margaret moved to Blackheath, London in 1869. Later, they moved to Kensington. After Margaret died in 1880, Henrietta traveled around Europe with friends and an adopted daughter in 1884. She then lived in Oxford for 20 years and Bristol for two years. Finally, she returned to London. Henrietta died in Belsize Park Gardens on January 6, 1914.

Her Writings

Keddie started writing in the 1850s. Her first two novels did not sell well. Her first story that she was paid for was "Meg of Elibank." It was based on a local story from Selkirk, Scottish Borders. This story appeared in Fraser's Magazine in 1856.

Some of her early works were published in famous magazines like Blackwood's Magazine, Cornhill Magazine, Good Words, and the Sunday Magazine. Through her writing, she met other writers and thinkers. These included Dr John Brown, Isabella Bird, and Margaret Oliphant. When she moved to London, her group of friends grew. It included the historian J. A. Froude, Dinah Craik, Mrs Henry Wood, and Jean Ingelow.

Popular Novels

As Sarah Tytler, Henrietta wrote many novels. She was known for writing stories about everyday life, which many female readers enjoyed. Her first novel, The Kinnears. A Scottish Story (1852), was not very popular. But she started to gain fans, especially after moving to London.

Many of her novels were set in the 1700s. For example, Citoyenne Jacqueline (1865) took place during the French Revolution. Her novel Beauty and the Beast (1884) was about a soldier who inherited a special title called a baronetcy. Even though the story was exciting, she was very good at creating interesting and relatable characters. She also understood social problems well.

Saint Mungo's City (1884) was special because it focused on the city of Glasgow, not the countryside. Perhaps her most famous book was Logie Town (1887), which was set in her hometown of Cupar.

Books for Young People

Keddie also wrote popular books for children and young people. Papers for Thoughtful Girls (1862) and Sweet Counsel. A Book for Girls (1866) gave advice on topics like intelligence, friendship, helping others, and fashion. These books showed her modern ideas about what women could do.

She also wrote educational books. These included Musical Composers and their Works (1875) and The Old Masters and their Pictures for the Use of Schools and Learners in Art (1880). She also wrote collections of biographies, like Six Royal Ladies of the House of Hanover (1898). Another book was Jane Austen and Her Works (1880). Her last book was Three Generations: The Story of a Middle-Class Scottish Family (1911).

There are about 140 books listed under the name Sarah Tytler in the British Library.

• A Houseful of Girls [1] and Girlhood and Womanhood [2] are some of Henrietta Keddie's works you can read online.