Mary and Catherine Lee facts for kids
Mary Susanna Lee (1846–1908) and her sister Catherine Harriet Lee (1847–1914) were English writers. They wrote many exciting books for children. A lot of their stories took place in the past, like during important historical events. Some of their books were especially for girls. They usually wrote together and published their books as M. and C. Lee or Mary and Catherine Lee.
The sisters were born in London. Their father, Henry Boyle Lee, was a surgeon. Their mother was Anne Lee. The family lived in the south of England. Later in life, Mary and Catherine lived in Bishop's Stortford with their younger sister, Frances.
Stories from the Past
The Lee sisters loved to write historical fiction. This means their stories were set in real times from the past.
- Lucy's Campaign is about a girl caught up in the adventures of Prince Charles Edward Stuart in 1745. He was trying to become king.
- Rosamond Fane tells a story about James II when he was a young boy. He later became King of England.
- The Oak Staircase starts during the time of the Duke of Monmouth's Rebellion. This was a big fight over who should be king.
Mary Lee also worked with other writers on a book called The Miz Maze, or the Winkworth Puzzle. One of these writers was the famous author Charlotte Mary Yonge. Mary and Catherine also wrote a story called Hallowmas Eve at Horsemandown. This story appeared in Charlotte Yonge's magazine, Monthly Packet.
What People Thought of Their Books
When Mary Lee passed away, a magazine called Athenaeum Magazine said her stories "gave pleasure to many young people." This means lots of kids and even some adults enjoyed her books. The Lee sisters' books usually got good reviews. For example, The Spectator magazine called Goldhanger Woods "a capital story." They said it would "keep its young readers' attention and interest."
Many of their novels were printed more than once. The Oak Staircase was published at least four times between 1872 and 1914. This shows how popular it was! In 1963, Rosamond Fane was even re-released as part of the Oxford Children's Library.
Not everyone agreed, though. One person who reviewed books felt that Lucy's Campaign was "merely a tale for girls." They thought that the important historical events in the story were not as important as the social parts of the story.
Books by Mary and Catherine Lee
- Lucy's Campaign: a story of adventure (1867)
- Rosamond Fane; or, the Prisoners of St. James's (1870)
- The Oak Staircase; or the Stories of Lord and Lady Desmond. A narrative of the times of James II (1872)
- Hallowmas Eve at Horsemandown, in The Monthly Packet (1873)
- Joachim's Spectacles: a legend of Florenthal (1876)
- Goldhanger Woods: a child's romance (1887)
- Mrs. Dimsdale's Grandchildren (1888)
- The Family Coach (1890)
- St. Dunstan's Fair (1892)
- Told after Tea (1892)
- Miss Coventry's Maid: a story for girls (1895)
- Kitty's birthday (1897)
- Laurie's Motto (1897)
