Lucy Aikin facts for kids

Lucy Aikin (born November 6, 1781 – died January 29, 1864) was an English writer. She wrote about history and people's lives. She also wrote many letters. Sometimes, she used other names like Mary Godolphin for her books. Lucy came from a family who loved books and writing. Her aunt, Anna Laetitia Barbauld, was a famous writer of poems, essays, and children's books.

Growing Up and Learning

Lucy Aikin was born in Warrington, England, in 1781. She was the fourth child of John Aikin, who was a doctor and historian. Her mother was Martha Jennings. Lucy's family was known for being very interested in books and learning. They were also part of a religious group called Unitarians.

Lucy's grandfather, also named John Aikin, was a scholar. He taught at a special school called Warrington Academy. Her aunt, Anna Laetitia Barbauld, wrote many books for children. Lucy's brothers were also very talented. Arthur Aikin was a chemist and writer about science. Charles Rochemont became a doctor and chemist. Another brother, Edmund Aikin, was an architect and wrote important books about buildings.

Lucy lived with her parents in different places, including Great Yarmouth and Stoke Newington. After her father passed away in 1822, she moved to Hampstead. She lived there for the rest of her life, except for a short time in Wimbledon.

Lucy went to a day school for a short time in Yarmouth. But mostly, her father and aunt taught her at home. She read many books in English, French, Italian, and Latin. She started writing for magazines when she was just 17. Soon, she was helping her father edit his own writings.

Lucy Aikin's Books and Writings

Lucy Aikin's books often explored the art, social life, and literature of her time. She didn't focus as much on wars or politics.

Her first important book was Epistles on Women in 1810. It was about the lives of women in different times and places. In 1814, she wrote her only storybook, called Lorimer, a Tale.

Lucy became famous for her history books. These included:

• Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth (1818)
• Memoirs of the Court of James I. (1822)
• Memoirs of the Court of Charles I. (1833)
• The Life of Addison (1843)

The book about Joseph Addison included many of his letters that had never been seen before. A famous writer named Macaulay praised Lucy's history books. He especially liked her book about King James I.

Lucy decided not to write about any more English kings after Charles I. She felt that King Charles II's story was too difficult for her to write about. She also wrote books about her father and her aunt, Mrs. Barbauld.

Books for Young Readers

Like her aunt, Lucy Aikin cared a lot about how children learned. She wrote several books to help young readers:

• Poetry for Children (1801)
• Juvenile Correspondence (1811)
• An English Lesson Book (1828)
• The Acts of Life (1858)

Lucy also helped edit famous stories for children. She used the name Mary Godolphin for these. She rewrote books like Pilgrim's Progress, Robinson Crusoe, Swiss Family Robinson, and Aesop's Fables. She even rewrote Evenings at Home (written by her father and aunt) and Sandford and Merton. She made these stories easier to read by using "Words of One Syllable."

Letters and Translations

Lucy Aikin was known for being a great conversationalist. She also wrote wonderful, lively letters. Her letters to family and friends showed how much she enjoyed being with people. They were full of funny stories and details about famous writers.

For almost 16 years, she wrote serious letters to an American religious leader named Dr. William Ellery Channing. They discussed religion, ideas, politics, and books.

Lucy's letters often shared her thoughts on leaders and writers. She also showed how much she loved classic and new books.

Lucy also translated books from French into English. She translated Louis Francois Jauffret's The Travels of Rolando (around 1804). She also translated Jean Gaspard Hess's The Life of Ulrich Zwingli (1812). Zwingli was an important leader in the Reformation in Switzerland.

Her Life and Legacy

Lucy Aikin never married or had children. She always lived with her family, including her parents and her niece. For a short time, she lived with her nephew in London.

Lucy was a strong supporter of women's rights. She was also a Unitarian in her religious beliefs.

Lucy Aikin passed away from influenza in 1864. She was living in Hampstead, just north of London, where she had lived for 40 years. After her death, her niece, Anna Letitia Le Breton, helped manage her writings. Lucy's own Memoirs, Miscellanies, and Letters were published in 1864. Her letters with Channing were also published later.

Selected Works

• 1801: Poetry for Children: Consisting of Short Pieces to be Committed to Memory
• 1804: Louis Francois Jauffret’s The Travels of Rolando (translation from French)
• 1810: Epistles on Women, Exemplifying their Character and Condition in Various Ages and Nations, with Miscellaneous Poems
• 1811: Juvenile Correspondence or Letters, Designed as Examples of the Epistolary Style, for Children of Both Sexes
• 1812: Jean Gaspard Hess’s The Life of Ulrich Zwingli (translation from French)
• 1814: Lorimer, a Tale
• 1818: Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth
• 1822: Memoirs of the Court of James I
• 1823: Memoir of John Aikin, MD
• 1825: The Works of Anna Laetita Barbauld
• 1827: The Life of Anne Boleyn
• 1828: An English Lesson Book, for the Junior Classes
• 1833: Memoirs of the Court of Charles I
• 1843: The Life of Joseph Addison
• 1858: The Acts of Life: of Providing Food, of Providing Clothing, of Providing Shelter
• 1858: Holiday Stories for Young Readers

Works Attributed to Mary Godolphin

• 1867: Robinson Crusoe: In Words of One Syllable
• 1868: Sandford and Merton: In Words of One Syllable
• 1868: An Evening at Home: In Words of One Syllable
• 1869: Aesop's Fables: In Words of One Syllable
• 1869: The Pilgrim's Progress: In Words of One Syllable
• 1869: The Swiss Family Robinson: In Words of One Syllable
• 1870: The One Syllable Sunday Book

See also

In Spanish: Lucy Aikin para niños