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Margaret Rebecca Lahee
Lahee-photo-570x824.jpg
M.R. Lahee
Born
Margaret Rebecca Lahee

10 May 1831
Carlow, Ireland
Died 14 June 1895
Rochdale, Lancashire
Known for Lancashire dialect writer

Margaret Rebecca Lahee (born May 10, 1831 – died June 14, 1895) was an Irish writer. She became very popular for her stories written in the Lancashire dialect during the 1800s.

Margaret Lahee's Story

Her Early Life

Margaret Lahee was born in Carlow, Ireland, on May 10, 1831. When she was older, she moved to Rochdale, Lancashire, in England. She went there to learn how to make hats and dresses from a friend of her family.

However, Margaret soon realized she didn't enjoy this type of work. Instead, she decided to follow her passion and become a professional writer.

A Writer with a Secret

When Margaret first started publishing her stories, she kept her identity a secret. She didn't want people to know she was both Irish and a woman. At first, she used the pen name MRL, and later she changed it to M.R.Lahee.

Margaret often wrote her stories from a female point of view. She also wrote about important topics like women's rights. A famous writer named Edwin Waugh once said that her first novel was the best story in the Lancashire dialect. This shows how talented she was!

A Special Friendship

Margaret Lahee lived in Rochdale for more than thirty years with her close friend, Susannah Rothwell Wild. They were very devoted to each other.

When they passed away, Margaret had a special wish. She wanted them to be buried in the same grave. She also wanted an inscription on their grave that read: They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in death they were undivided. While they were buried together, the inscription was sadly never added.

Honored in Rochdale

Margaret Rebecca Lahee was one of four important dialect writers honored with a monument in Rochdale. Her friend, Susannah Wild, worked hard to make sure Margaret was included.

The monument was designed by a local architect named Edward Sykes and finished in 1900. The portraits on the monument were created by the artist John Cassidy. This special monument celebrates Margaret Rebecca Lahee, Oliver Ormerod, John Trafford Clegg, and Edwin Waugh. You can find it in Broadfield Park, Rochdale.

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