Olivia Knight facts for kids

Olivia Knight (born around September 29, 1828 – died June 2, 1908) was an amazing Irish-Australian writer. She was a poet, essayist, and even a translator. She also worked as a teacher. You might also know her as Mrs Hope Connolly. She sometimes used other names for her writing, like "Thomasine" and "Celtica".

Early Life and Education

Olivia Mary Knight was probably born on September 29, 1828. Her hometown was Rathbawn, near Castlebar in County Mayo, Ireland. Her dad, Simon, was an engineer, and her mom was Sarah. Olivia had one brother named Arthur. Her uncle, Patrick Knight, was also an engineer.

Olivia went to school in her local area. She said her mom helped her love reading and learning. When Olivia was young, her father passed away. Her family then moved to Tucker Street in Castlebar.

Becoming a Teacher

To help her mom and brother, Olivia became a national school teacher. She taught in Ireland for 14 years. This included six years at a private school in Castlebar. She also spent four years as a governess, teaching children in their homes. Then, she taught for four more years at Gainstown national school.

Olivia trained at the Dublin Training Establishment. She earned her teaching certificate in 1860. She also learned music and drawing. She could play both the harmonium and the piano. Her music teacher was John William Glover. Olivia's brother, Arthur, was also a musician. He even wrote music for one of Olivia's poems called A Christmas carol.

Writing Career in Ireland

Olivia started writing to the editors of The Nation newspaper in 1844. She used the pen name "Thomasine." This name was probably a tribute to Thomas Davis, a famous Irish writer.

After a few years, she became a regular writer for The Nation when it started up again in 1849. As "Thomasine of the Nation", she wrote stories, poems, and translated poems. Her writing matched the newspaper's focus on Irish pride. Her poems often talked about leaving home, being separated from loved ones, and hope.

Translations and Other Works

Olivia also translated many stories, mostly from French. These were often short stories set in history. She also translated fables about important topics like freedom of speech. These translations were published in the 1850s. Her translated works also appeared in magazines by James Duffy. While writing for The Nation, Olivia met Mary Eva Kelly, another writer known as "Eva of the Nation."

Life and Work in Australia

In 1859, Olivia was offered a teaching job in Australia. Bishop James Quinn invited her to work at a new Catholic teacher training school in Brisbane. She sailed to Australia on a ship called the Erin-Go-Bragh. This ship was arranged by Bishop Quinn to bring Irish people to Australia.

Olivia left Liverpool, England, in January 1862 with her brother. The journey took six months. It was very tough, as 54 people died from illnesses like typhoid fever and scarlet fever. There were 431 immigrants on board. Olivia's mother had passed away around 1860. The ship had to stay in quarantine at Moreton Bay before docking in Brisbane on August 2, 1862. The journey was hard on her brother, Arthur, too. He died four years later in Ipswich, Queensland. On the ship, Olivia met Thomas Hope Connolly, a journalist. They got married in 1869 in Rockhampton, Queensland. Thomas passed away in 1872.

Teaching in Australia

The planned teacher training school in Brisbane didn't work out. So, Olivia started teaching at a Catholic school in Ipswich for eight months in 1863. In October 1863, she began teaching at the Brisbane Normal School. She later taught at several other schools in Queensland.

She became the head teacher of the Girls' National School of Rockhampton. In June 1879, she moved to Toolburra and continued teaching there. She stayed in this job until she retired on December 31, 1886. In 1888, she became a librarian and secretary at the new Sandgate School of Arts in Brisbane. She was also an active member of the Brisbane Literary Circle. It's believed she taught French classes and worked as a governess in places like Clermont and Barcaldine in the 1890s.

Later Writings and Legacy

Olivia wrote less often in Australia. However, she did contribute some poems and possibly anonymous translations to Australian magazines and newspapers. She sometimes used the name "Celtica" for her Australian works. In 1879, she was part of the Thomas Moore centenary events in Brisbane. She even recited a special poem she wrote for the occasion.

Her lifelong friend, Charles Gavan Duffy, encouraged her to publish a book of her poems. This book was called Wild flowers from the wayside (1883). Charles Gavan Duffy edited it and wrote the introduction. In 1895, someone wrote to a newspaper asking for help for Olivia. When she found out, she wrote to the Sydney Freeman's Journal on July 27, 1895. She said that even though she was "alone and poor," she was still strong and could take care of herself.

Olivia Knight passed away in Bundaberg, Queensland, on June 2, 1908. She is buried in the Bundaberg Catholic Cemetery. Newspapers in Ireland and Australia wrote about her death. One paper called her a "patriot-poetess." Some of her poems, like 'A prayer to St Patrick' and 'The green flag', were printed again.

In 1943, a special plaque was placed on her family home in Castlebar. Sadly, the house was torn down in 1986. A new housing area called Knight's Wood was built there. There is a special stone at the entrance to the estate to remember Olivia Knight.