Matilda Hays facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matilda Mary Hays
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Matilda Hays (standing) with Charlotte Cushman, 1858
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| Born | 8 September 1820 London, England
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| Died | 3 July 1897 (aged 76) Liverpool, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Author, journalist, actor, translator |
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Matilda Mary Hays (born September 8, 1820 – died July 3, 1897) was a British writer, journalist, and actress in the 1800s. She worked with Elizabeth Ashurst to translate books by the famous French writer George Sand into English. Matilda also helped start the English Woman's Journal, a magazine for women. She had important friendships with actress Charlotte Cushman and poet Adelaide Anne Procter.
Early life
Matilda Hays was born in London, England, on September 8, 1820. Her father, John Hays, was a merchant who sold corn. Her mother was Elizabeth Mary Atkinson.
Matilda had two older half-sisters from her mother's first marriage. Her full siblings were Elizabeth, Susanna, and Albert.
Some people thought Matilda was of Creole heritage. This would have come from her mother's side of the family. Her father's family had lived in London for many generations.
Career
Matilda Hays started writing articles for magazines around 1838. She often wrote about topics important to women. Her articles appeared in magazines like The Mirror and Ainsworth's Magazine.
Matilda was inspired by the writer George Sand. She was a journalist and novelist who wanted to use her writing. Her goal was to help improve the lives of women.
Translating George Sand's books
George Sand lived a very independent life, which was unusual for women in the 1800s. Matilda Hays and her friend Elizabeth Ashurst were interested in Sand's ideas. They liked the political and social messages in Sand's books.
Matilda received support to translate Sand's novels into English. William Charles Macready and George Henry Lewes encouraged her. A friend, Edmund Larken, even helped pay for the translation project.
Matilda, Elizabeth, and Edmund Larken began translating Sand's books. Matilda translated the first book, La Dernière Aldini. Elizabeth translated Les Maîtres mosaïstes, which came out in 1844.
Matilda's friend, Giuseppe Mazzini, wrote an introduction for one of Elizabeth's translations. George Henry Lewes suggested that the translations should be softer. He thought they should fit English culture better. Mazzini disagreed with this idea.
Four of Sand's books were translated by Hays and Ashurst. However, the books did not sell well. Critics said that by trying to make Sand's ideas softer, the books lost their original strength. The translators also did not earn much money from the books.
Edmund Larken stopped working with Hays and Ashurst in 1847. Matilda Hays later translated another one of Sand's books, Fadette, in 1851.
Women's journals
First attempt at a journal
In 1847, Matilda Hays wanted to create a magazine for women. She was inspired by an American magazine called Godey's Lady's Book. She hoped her journal would be a place for women writers. It would also discuss women's rights, like better education and job chances.
Matilda wanted to create a space for "free discussion." At that time, it was hard to talk about these topics in regular newspapers. Actress Charlotte Cushman helped her explore this idea. However, they realized it was not the right time to start the journal.
Eliza Cook's Journal
Soon after Matilda's attempt, the poet Eliza Cook started her own magazine. Matilda Hays wrote articles for this new journal. The magazine included essays, poems, and stories. It focused on topics like women's education and helping working-class people.
English Woman's Journal
In 1858, Matilda Hays became a co-founder and editor of the English Woman's Journal. This journal was started by Barbara Bodichon and Bessie Rayner Parkes, among others.
The journal's offices were in a place called Langham Place. This building was also used by other groups Matilda helped start. These included the Society for Promoting the Employment of Women and the Victoria Press. Matilda's friend, Theodosia Blacker, Lady Monson, helped get these offices. She also paid for them to be furnished. The place became a meeting spot for women.
Matilda left the journal by 1864. She often had different ideas from Bessie Parkes, her co-editor. This made it difficult for them to work together.
Acting
In 1848, Matilda Hays faced financial difficulties. She had lost money due to her father's problems. Around the same time, actress Charlotte Cushman's sister left the stage. This created an opportunity for Matilda to act.
Charlotte Cushman's sister, Susan Webb Cushman, used to play Juliet to Charlotte's Romeo. She left acting to marry a scientist. Matilda began practicing with Charlotte Cushman. They performed together for a few months, starting in October 1848.
Published works
George Sand translations
- Sand, George. (1842). Spiridion. Translated by Eliza A. Ashurst. Edited by Matilda M. Hays. London: Churton.
- Sand, George. (1847). Letters of a Traveller. Translated by Eliza A. Ashurst. Edited by Matilda M. Hays. [Introduction by J. Mazzini]. London: Churton, 1847.
- Sand, George. (1847). The Works of George Sand. By Matilda M. Hays. [Translated by Matilda M. Hays, Eliza A. Ashurst, and E. R. Larken.].
- Sand, George. (1847). Andre'. Translated by Eliza A. Ashurst, Edited by Matilda M. Hays. London: Churton.
- Sand, George. (1851). Fadette. Translated by Matilda Hays.
Novels
Personal life and friendships
Matilda Hays had close friendships with Charlotte Cushman, Adelaide Anne Procter, and Harriet Hosmer.
Charlotte Cushman
Matilda Hays and Charlotte Cushman became friends between 1846 and 1848. They shared a close bond for about 10 years. In Europe, they were known as a pair. People noticed they dressed similarly, often wearing tailored shirts and jackets. Friends sometimes called Matilda "Mathew" or "Max."
In 1852, Charlotte Cushman stopped acting and joined Matilda in Rome, Italy. They lived in a community of American artists. In 1854, Matilda spent time with Harriet Hosmer. This caused some disagreements between the three women.
Matilda eventually returned to live with Charlotte. However, their friendship became strained. By late 1857, Charlotte was spending time with Emma Stebbins. One evening, Matilda saw Charlotte writing a note. Matilda suspected it was for Emma and asked to see it. Charlotte refused, and Matilda became upset. Their friendship ended after this.
Adelaide Anne Procter
Matilda Hays also had a very close friendship with the poet Adelaide Anne Procter. Adelaide dedicated her book Legends and Lyrics to Matilda. She wrote:
Our tokens of love are for the most part barbarous, Cold and lifeless, because they do not represent our life. The only gift is a portion of thyself. Therefore let the farmer give his corn; the miner, a gem; a sailor, coral and shells; the painter, his picture; and the poet, his poem.
– Emerson
Adelaide also wrote a poem for Matilda called A Retrospect. After Adelaide's death, Matilda made sure her grave was cared for. She continued to mourn her friend for many years.
Theodosia Blacker, Lady Monson
Theodosia Blacker, Lady Monson (1803–1891) was a supporter of women's rights. She rented a building at 19 Langham Place. This place became a meeting spot for the "Langham Place group," a circle of women who shared similar ideas. Lady Monson was Matilda Hays's last close companion.
Later years and death
Matilda Hays passed away in Liverpool, England, on July 3, 1897. She was 76 years old. Even though Adelaide Procter had died 30 years earlier, Matilda's obituary mentioned that she had been "the dear friend of Adelaide Procter, gone before."
Images for kids
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Matilda Hays (standing) with Charlotte Cushman, 1858
See also
In Spanish: Matilda Hays para niños
