Netta Syrett facts for kids

Netta Syrett (born Janet Syrett; March 17, 1865 – December 15, 1943) was an English writer. She was known for her novels, especially those featuring strong, independent female characters, often called "New Women" at the time. One of her novels, Portrait of a Rebel, was even made into a movie called A Woman Rebels in 1936.

About Netta Syrett

Her Early Life and Education

Netta Syrett was born Janet Syrett on March 17, 1865, in Ramsgate, Kent, England. She was one of many children in her family, with five sisters and eight brothers. Her father, Ernest Syrett, was a silk merchant. Her mother was Mary Ann Syrett. Netta's uncle was the famous writer Grant Allen.

Many of Netta's sisters were also creative. Nellie, Kate, and Mabel Syrett became artists and illustrators. Netta was first taught at home by her mother and a German governess. When she was 11, she went to North London Collegiate School. Later, she studied at Hughes Hall, Cambridge, where she quickly earned a teaching certificate.

Becoming a Writer

After college, Netta taught at a school in Swansea for two years. Then, she moved to London to teach at the London Polytechnic School for Girls. While teaching, she met Mabel Beardsley, who became her friend and coworker. Through Mabel, Netta met Mabel's brother, Aubrey Beardsley, and other writers like Henry Harland.

Henry Harland liked Netta's writing. He published three of her short stories in a famous magazine called The Yellow Book. Her sisters, Nellie and Mabel Syrett, also had their work published in the same magazine.

Netta's first novel, Nobody's Fault, came out in 1896. For a while, she balanced both teaching and writing. However, in 1902, a misunderstanding arose about her play, The Finding of Nancy. After this, Netta decided to leave her teaching job. By then, writing novels had become a steady career for her. She continued to write about one novel each year until she stopped in 1939.

Later Life

Netta Syrett passed away in London on December 15, 1943. She had been ill for some time.

Her Books and Plays

Novels

Plays

• The Finding of Nancy (1902)
• Two Domestics (1922)

Short Stories

• Sylvia (1891)
• Thy Heart's Desire (1894)
• A Correspondence (1895)
• Her Wedding Day (1896)
• Fairy-Gold (1896)
• Far Above Rubies (1897)
• Chiffon (1900)
• A Revelation in Arcadia (1902)
• Poor Little Mrs. Villiers (1903)
• An Idealist (1903)
• A Common Occurrence (1904)
• Madame de Meline (1905)
• The Street of the Four Winds (1906)

Books for Kids

Other Works

• The story of Saint Catherine of Siena (1910)
• Sketches of European History (1931)
• The Sheltering Tree (her autobiography, 1939)