Lydia Mackenzie Falconer Miller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lydia Mackenzie Falconer Miller
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Miller in 1835
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| Born | Lydia Mackenzie Falconer 1812 Scotland |
| Died | 11 March 1876 (aged 63–64) Lochinver, Sutherland |
| Pen name | Harriett Myrtle |
| Occupation | Children's author |
| Language | English |
| Education | Inverness Academy |
| Spouse | Hugh Miller |
| Children | 4 including Harriet Miller Davidson |
Lydia Mackenzie Falconer Miller (1812 – 11 March 1876) was a Scottish writer. She is famous for writing many fun and educational stories for children. She also used the pen name Harriet Myrtle.
Contents
Her Early Life and Education
Lydia Mackenzie Falconer was born in Scotland in 1812. Her mother, Elizabeth Lydia McLeod, was a schoolteacher. Her father, William Fraser, was a merchant in Inverness.
When her father's business had problems, her mother's family helped. They made sure Lydia could get a good education. She went to school at Inverness Academy. Later, she studied in Edinburgh. While there, she lived with George Thomson. He was a musician and a friend of the famous poet Robert Burns.
Meeting Her Husband
After spending some time in England, Lydia returned to Scotland. She started a small school in Cromarty, where her family lived. In Cromarty, she met Hugh Miller. Both Lydia and Hugh loved to read and were very smart. Lydia had also experienced Edinburgh's literary world.
Lydia's family did not approve at first. But Lydia and Hugh got engaged in 1832. They married on January 7, 1837. They had four children who grew up.
Her Writing Career
Hugh Miller became the manager of a newspaper called The Witness in Edinburgh. Lydia helped him with his work. She also wrote articles for the newspaper.
Lydia wrote about 20 educational and fun stories for children. She used the pen name Mrs Harriet Myrtle for these books. Her stories were often exciting and light-hearted.
In 1847, she wrote her only novel for adults. It was called Passages in the Life of an English Heiress. The book was based on her own life and her husband's experiences. It was not very popular. At that time, many people in Scotland thought fiction stories were not good, especially from a religious point of view.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1856, her husband Hugh Miller passed away. Lydia then worked to finish publishing his books that were not yet complete. She also helped Peter Bayne write a book about her husband's life.
After Hugh's death, Lydia received financial help. She got a special pension from the government in 1857. In 1863, she moved to Inverness. She continued to write stories for children there.
Lydia Miller passed away on March 11, 1876. She was at her son-in-law's home in Lochinver, Sutherland. She was buried next to her husband in Grange cemetery in Edinburgh on March 20.
Selected Works
- Adventure of a Kite
- The water lily
- Passages in the life of an English heiress : or, Recollections of disruption times in Scotland. (1847)
- Two dear friends
- The duck house
- Home and its pleasures : simple stories for young people
- Bertha and the bird
- Little Amy's birthday
- Going to the cottage
- A story-book of country scenes
- The little foundling : and other tales
- The man of snow and other tales
- Amusing tales for young people
- A story book of the seasons: Spring
