Jane Emily Herbert facts for kids

Jane Emily Herbert (born 1821, died May 26, 1882) was a talented Irish poet. Many people at the time thought she was the next great female poet, following in the footsteps of the famous Felicia Hemans.

Early Life and Family

Jane Emily Herbert was born to Henry Monckton Herbert and Elizabeth Jane Barlow. In 1839, her father ran a school in Arklow, County Wicklow, Ireland. Her mother and some of her brothers and sisters helped with their farm, which was about 50 acres. The family was well-respected in their community.

Jane's mother, Elizabeth Jane, had two brothers who were important in society: Arthur Craven Barlow and Thomas William Barlow. Thomas William was a solicitor (a type of lawyer) for the Board of Ordnance in Ireland for many years.

Published Works

Jane Emily Herbert wrote several books of poetry and history. Her works were often praised for their beauty and for focusing on Irish themes.

Poetical Recollections of Irish History

Her first book, Poetical Recollections of Irish History, was published in 1842 when she was only 22 years old. Many people praised this work.

• The Edinburgh Advertiser said she had "the true heart of an Irish patriot" and could compete with Mrs. Hemans in her sweet and beautiful poems. They noted that her book made Irish history interesting and complete.
• The Monitor newspaper said that many of her poems were "real gems." They felt she had captured important parts of Irish history in her songs.
• The Weekly Warden mentioned that the historical events in her book would help young readers remember facts because of her memorable language.

The Bride of Imael

Her poem The Bride of Imael; or Irish Love and Saxon Beauty was also very popular. In 1848, the Dublin Evening Mail quoted Benjamin Disraeli, a famous British politician, who called it "A beautiful volume." He also said it had "grace and fancy" and a "melodious ear."

Other reviews for The Bride of Imael included:

• The Athenaeum said her poem was "written with spirit and freshness." They also noted that the lines were "musical and flowing."
• The Dublin Evening Mail stated that Miss Herbert was "beyond a doubt" the true successor to Mrs. Hemans as a leading female poet. They admired how easily she used different types of English poetry.
• The Edinburgh Advertiser noted that Miss Herbert had already helped her country by singing about important moments in ancient Irish history with "great sweetness and rare poetic merit."

In 1853, an article in the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette mentioned that Miss Herbert, the "clever authoress of The Bride of Imael," was recovering from an illness. She had been visiting her brother, Rev. T. W. Herbert, when she became sick.

Ione's Dream, and Other Poems

Ione's Dream, and other poems was published in 1853. It received good reviews, including from the Dublin University Magazine.

• The Dublin Evening Mail said that Ione's Dream showed the same "rich vein of imagery" and "smooth, abundant, fluency" as her earlier works. They also noted her "genuine Irish feeling and true womanly tenderness."
• The Liverpool Standard highlighted that the book contained "many passages of great poetical beauty." They especially liked 'A Dirge for Wellington', calling it "an oasis in the desert of our material literature."
• The Sentinel praised her "fertile, we might say gorgeous, imagination" and her strong command of language.

Ione's Dream was part of the personal collection of David Scott Mitchell, who founded The Mitchell Library in Sydney, Australia.

A Short History of Ireland

Jane Emily Herbert also wrote history books. A Short History of Ireland from the Earliest Periods to the Year 1798 was published in 1886. Another book, A Short History of Ireland, from 400 to the year 1829, was published in 1887. This second book was published after her death and was described as showing her "keen interest" in Ireland's past.

Siblings

Jane Emily was one of five children in her family.

• Henry Arthur Augustus Herbert (1808–1848) was a Master Mariner (a ship's captain). He had five daughters. Henry died in India. Later, his wife and four of their daughters moved to Brisbane, Australia.
• Elizabeth Herbert (1809–1888) never married. She died at her brother George's home in Dalkey, Dublin.
• George Herbert (1814–1891) was a publisher and a well-known bookseller in Dublin. He was even the bookseller to the Lord Lieutenant (a high-ranking official) of Ireland. He never married and died at his home in Dalkey, Dublin.
• Rev Thomas William Herbert (1819–1902) studied at Trinity College, Dublin. He was a respected Vicar (a type of priest) in Southend, England, at the time of his death. His funeral was attended by many important people and his large church community. He did not have any children.

Later Life

Jane Emily Herbert married a surgeon named Thomas Mills on November 11, 1858. At the time of their marriage, she lived in Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire), Ireland. Not much is known about Thomas, except that his father was a "gentleman."

Jane Emily Herbert (Mills) was a widow when she died from heart failure at her home in Dalkey, Dublin, on May 26, 1882.