Lucy Knox facts for kids

Lucy Knox (born Lucy Spring Rice) was an important poet from the Victorian era. She was born in England but had Irish family roots. Lucy lived from 1845 to 1884 and wrote many poems that are still admired today.

Early Life and Family

Lucy Spring Rice was born on November 9, 1845, in Hither Green, a place in Lewisham, England. Her father was Stephen Spring Rice, and her mother was Ellen Mary Frere. Her grandfather was a well-known person named Thomas Spring Rice, who was the First Baron Monteagle of Brandon.

When Lucy was 20 years old, she married Octavius Newry Knox. His grandfather was Thomas Knox, the First Earl of Ranfurly. After her marriage, Lucy's name became Lucy Knox.

Becoming a Poet

Lucy Knox's first published poem was a sonnet. A sonnet is a special type of poem with 14 lines and a specific rhyme pattern. This poem appeared in Macmillan's Magazine in 1870.

Later that same year, she privately published her first collection of poems called Sonnets and Other Poems. This book had 33 poems. Many of her poems talked about social issues, politics, love, and marriage.

Later Works and Recognition

In 1877, Lucy Knox wrote several poems for a magazine called Irish Monthly. Her father and her cousin, Aubrey Thomas de Vere, also contributed to this magazine.

Her second and final collection of poems, Four Pictures from a Life, and Other Poems, was published in 1884. This book included 47 new poems, along with 16 translations from German and two from Italian. One of her famous poems in this collection was Carlyle, which was a tribute to her family friend, Thomas Carlyle. A review in The Academy praised her poems for being genuine and well-written.

Her Legacy

Lucy Knox passed away at the age of 39 in 1884. She had three daughters and one son with her husband, Octavius. Her grandson, Sir John Leonard Knox, became a respected judge in Britain. Lucy Knox is remembered as a talented poet who captured the feelings and ideas of her time.