Mary Chandler facts for kids
Mary Chandler (1687–1745) was an English poet. She wrote many poems, and her most well-known work was titled Bath.
Her Life Story
Mary Chandler was born in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. She was the oldest daughter of Henry Chandler, who was a minister. Her family later moved to Bath, Somerset.
When Mary was young, she developed a condition that affected her spine. This made her health difficult at times. However, she was very determined. Around 1705, when she was still a teenager, she opened a shop in Bath where she sold hats.
Even with her physical challenges and her background, Mary became friends with many important people in Bath society. These included Mrs. Boteler, Mrs. Moor, Lady Russell, and the Duchess of Somerset. Her neighbor was Mary Barber, who was a friend of the famous writer Jonathan Swift. Mary Chandler was also friends with other well-known writers like Elizabeth Rowe and Frances Seymour. The famous poet Alexander Pope knew about her poetry and even praised it! Mary Chandler passed away on September 11, 1745.
Her Written Works
Mary Chandler's most famous poem was A Description of Bath. It was first published in 1733. The first version was like a letter to a friend and was dedicated to her doctor, Dr. Oliver.
The poem became very popular, and new editions were printed often.
- The second edition came out in 1734.
- The third edition in 1736 included a special poem for Dr. Oliver.
- More editions followed in 1738 and 1741.
A fun story about her work: A wealthy gentleman, who was sixty years old, was so impressed by one of her poems that he traveled eighty miles just to meet her! He bought a pair of gloves from her shop and then asked her to marry him. Mary Chandler wrote a poem about this funny event. When the sixth edition of her book was printed in 1744, it included this new poem, called 'A True Tale'.
After she stopped working in her shop, Mary began writing another long poem called ‘On the Attributes of God’. However, she passed away before she could finish it.
Her poems continued to be popular even after her death. A seventh edition was published in 1755, and an eighth in 1767. Mary had dedicated her book to her brother John. Her life story was also written by her brother Samuel for a book called Lives of the Poets.
