Mary Isabel Leslie facts for kids

Mary Isabel Leslie (1899–1978) was an Irish writer who wrote more than 30 novels. She also used a special writing name, called a pseudonym, which was Temple Lane. She was also an Irish nationalist, meaning she strongly supported Ireland's independence and culture.

About Mary Isabel Leslie

Early Life and Education

Mary Isabel Leslie was born in April 1899 in Portabello House, Dublin, Ireland. Her father was Reverend John Leslie, and her mother was Mary Richardson Smith. Mary grew up in County Tipperary.

She went to secondary school at Sherborne School for Girls in England. After that, she studied at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. Mary was a very good student. She won a gold medal in 1922 and earned a special degree in 1943 for her studies.

Her Writing Career

Mary Isabel Leslie wrote many poems and novels. She used two different writing names: Jean Herbert and Temple Lane. One of her novels, Friday's Well, was even turned into a play by Frank Carney in 1950.

The Women Writers' Club

Mary was a member of the Women Writers' Club in Dublin. This club was started by Blanaid Salkeld and other famous writers like Dorothy Macardle and Elizabeth Bowen. The club's goal was to help writers improve their skills and encourage them. They wanted to make their writing better and learn from each other.

What Readers Thought

Mary Leslie's novels were very popular with people who read them. However, some writing experts had different opinions. One writer, Mary Rose Callaghan, said that Mary's books were "female fiction before the Liberation." This meant her stories were simple and focused on women's lives in a traditional way. Even though critics had different views, her books were enjoyed by many readers.