Kate Clark (writer) facts for kids

Kate Emma McCosh Clark (née Woolnough; 15 May 1847 – 30 November 1926) was an important writer, poet, and artist from New Zealand. She was also very active in her community. Kate Clark is best known for writing and illustrating A Southern Cross Fairy Tale, an early children's book from New Zealand. It was published in London in 1891. She also wrote poetry and stories about Māori legends.

Early Life and Family

Kate Clark was born in Ipswich, England, in 1847. Her parents were Susan Bonner and Henry Woolnough, who was an architect. Kate studied art in London. She earned money by doing research for other writers, often at the famous British Museum.

On 8 April 1875, she married James Clark in Melbourne. James was a businessman from Auckland, New Zealand. To celebrate their wedding, his company in Auckland closed for a day. Kate and James had five children together while living in Auckland. Their first son was born in December 1875. From 1880 to 1883, her husband James was the Mayor of Auckland. A mayor is the leader of a city or town.

Kate Clark's Career and Books

Cover of A Southern Cross Fairy Tale by Clark, 1891. This book was special because it mixed traditional fairy tales with New Zealand's unique nature.

Kate Clark was a key person in many charity groups in Auckland. The family lived in a large home in Remuera with lots of land. People described her as a kind and helpful host. She was also known as a talented painter and a very sensible woman.

She helped to restart the Auckland Society of Arts in 1880. She was part of its committee for ten years. In 1882, she worked with Eliza Cowie to start the Girls' Friendly Society. This group helped young women. Kate became its vice president. She also helped manage the Women's Home in Parnell and was involved with the Jubilee Institute for the Blind.

Kate Clark was a skilled artist. She drew with pen and ink and painted with watercolours and oils. Her art was shown in many exhibitions. These included the Auckland Society of Arts and the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition.

In 1889, Kate and her family moved to London. This was after some of her husband's businesses had problems. In London, Kate focused on her writing career.

Writing for Children

Her children's book, A Southern Cross Fairy Tale, came out in 1891. Kate illustrated the book herself, along with Robert Atkinson. The book featured Santa Claus and fairies. But it was set in the beautiful natural places of New Zealand. It even had notes about New Zealand's geology and birds.

Kate wanted to bring Northern Hemisphere Christmas ideas to New Zealand children. She wrote that the book was for kids "growing up under the Southern Cross ... to whom the Yule log at Christmas is unmeaning and the snows unknown." This meant she wanted to make Christmas feel special for children in New Zealand, where it's summer at Christmas time.

She also published a book of poems in 1894 called Persephone and other Poems. These poems were about old stories and the beauty of nature. Her last book, Maori Tales and Legends (1896), was also illustrated by Atkinson. She wrote it to teach young people about New Zealand and the Māori people. Kate said she tried to keep the true spirit of the Māori tales. She learned a lot from sources like George Grey and even met Tāwhiao, the Māori king.

Kate Clark also wrote articles for newspapers and short stories for magazines. In 1895, her family's home in Remuera was sold to King's College.

In 1899, Kate represented the National Council of Women of New Zealand at a big meeting in London. She returned to New Zealand in 1900. Kate Clark passed away in Auckland on 30 November 1926. The New Zealand Herald newspaper described her as a woman with many talents in writing, music, and art.