Menella Bute Smedley facts for kids

Menella Bute Smedley (born 1820, died 1877) was a talented English writer. She wrote many stories and poems. Menella was also related to the famous author Lewis Carroll, who wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Early Life and Family

Menella Bute Smedley was the daughter of Reverend Edward Smedley. For many years, she lived with her cousin, Frank Smedley. She helped him by managing their home and working as his secretary.

Her Creative Writing

Menella wrote several books of poems and novels. One of her poetry books was called The Story of Queen Isabel, and Other Verses, published in 1863. She also translated an old German poem, "The Shepherd of the Giant Mountains", into English in 1846.

Novels by Menella

Her first novel was titled The Maiden Aunt. It first appeared in a magazine called Sharpe's London Magazine. She used the pen name "S.M." for this work. Later, in 1848 and 1849, The Maiden Aunt was published as a full book. It was released in both England and the United States and was printed again in 1856.

Connection to Lewis Carroll

Some experts believe that Menella's translation of "The Shepherd of the Giant Mountains" might have inspired Lewis Carroll's famous poem, "Jabberwocky". Roger Lancelyn Green and Peter Lucas suggested this idea. They thought parts of "Jabberwocky" might even be a playful copy of her work.

Helping with Social Issues

Besides writing stories and poems, Menella also helped with important reports for the government. These reports were about schools for children from poor families, often called pauper schools. Her work helped to gather information about these schools.

Later Life and Passing

Menella Bute Smedley passed away on May 25, 1877. She died at her home, Grove Lodge, in Regent's Park, London. She was buried at West Norwood Cemetery.