Jane Warton (writer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jane Warton
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Title page, Jane Warton, Letters Addressed to Two Young Married Ladies, on the Most Interesting Subjects (2 vols., London: J. Dodsley, 1784)
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| Born | August 1724 Basingstoke, Hampshire, England |
| Died | 3 November 1809 Wickham, Hampshire, England |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Parents | Thomas Warton (father) |
| Relatives | Joseph Warton (brother); Thomas Warton (brother) |
Jane Warton (born 1724 – died 1809) was an English writer. She wrote poems, essays, and books that offered advice on how to live. She was part of a well-known family of writers and scholars.
Jane Warton's Life
Jane Warton was born in 1724 in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England. Her father, Thomas Warton, was a vicar and a school headmaster. Her mother was Elizabeth Warton. Jane was one of three children. She had an older brother named Joseph Warton and a younger brother named Thomas Warton.
Her family was very smart and loved books. Her father was a professor at Oxford University. Both of her brothers became respected writers. Jane's family encouraged her to write. Even though she published her works without her name on them, her identity was not a secret.
When Jane was about 18, she became ill with a serious fever. This illness affected her health for the rest of her life.
In 1753, she started working as a governess. She taught two young girls, Joan and Mary Anne Thoyts. Jane stayed friends with these sisters throughout her life. Her first major book was even written for them.
Jane was also friends with other writers, like Hester Chapone. She never got married.
Jane Warton's Writing
Jane Warton wrote essays and poems for many different collections. Her work also appeared in popular magazines of her time. These included Adventurer, the Gentleman's Magazine, and European Magazine. She and her brothers often wrote letters to each other. In these letters, they talked a lot about books and writing.
Her first important book was Letters Addressed to Two Young Married Ladies, on the Most Interesting Subjects. It was published in 1784. This book offered advice, especially for women as wives and mothers. It focused on how mothers could educate their children. Books like this were very popular back then.
Interestingly, an American publisher copied her book without permission. They tried to make people think it was written by a more famous author, Elizabeth Griffith.
Warton also wrote a novel called Peggy and Patty, or, The Sisters of Ashdale. This story was special because it featured heroines from working-class families. The novel was printed many times. However, the reviews were not very strong. Her publisher decided not to print more of her work after that.
Works by Jane Warton
- Peggy and Patty, or, The Sisters of Ashdale (4 volumes, London: J. Dodsley, 1783)
- Letters Addressed to Two Young Married Ladies, on the Most Interesting Subjects (2 volumes, London: J. Dodsley, 1784)
Online Books
- Letters Addressed to Two Young Married Ladies, on the Most Interesting Subjects (2 volumes, 1784) can be found online: Volume I; Volume II
- Peggy and Patty, or, The Sisters of Ashdale (4 volumes, London: J. Dodsley, 1783) (ESTC)
