Sarah Atkinson facts for kids

Sarah Atkinson (born Gaynor) was an Irish writer, a person who wrote about the lives of others (a biographer), an essayist, and someone who helped people in need (a philanthropist). She was born on October 23, 1823, and passed away on July 8, 1893.

About Sarah Atkinson

Sarah was the oldest daughter of John and Anne Gaynor. Her family lived in Athlone, County Roscommon, Ireland. When she was fifteen, her family moved to Dublin, where she finished her schooling. Two of her sisters, Anna and Marcella, became nuns with the Religious Sisters of Charity.

When Sarah was twenty-five, she married George Atkinson. He was a medical doctor. He also owned part of a newspaper called the Freeman's Journal with Sir John Gray. Sarah and George both loved art. They traveled a lot in Europe, visiting many famous cultural cities. At home in Dublin, they met important politicians, journalists, and musicians. People like Dr. John Shaw, editor of the Evening Mail, Rosa Mulholland, and Katharine Tynan often visited their home.

Helping Others

Sarah Atkinson experienced a great sadness when her only child passed away at a young age. This deeply affected her. After this, she dedicated herself to helping others and doing good deeds. She and her husband moved to Drumcondra in Dublin. There, she met Mrs. Ellen Woodlock.

Ellen Woodlock was also a very kind person. She was worried about the many poor families and abandoned children in Dublin after a terrible famine. Many people were sick, and the laws at the time did not help enough. Families were often forced to leave their homes and go to workhouses, which were not good places. Children and single women were especially vulnerable.

Ellen Woodlock strongly believed that children should not be in workhouses. In 1855, she started St. Joseph's Institute to help rescue girls from this situation. Sarah Atkinson joined Ellen in her efforts. They worked to improve the lives of poor women in the South Dublin Union.

In the 1860s, Sarah worked hard to get permission for ladies like herself to visit and check on young girls in the Dublin workhouses. After seeing the conditions, she opened a better home for many of these girls. For years, she campaigned to make workhouses better and provide more help for people in poverty. Sarah also donated money to the Hospice for the Dying in Dublin, which one of her sisters helped run.

In 1872, Sarah helped Ellen Woodlock start the Children's Hospital at 9 Buckingham Street. This hospital later moved to Temple Street. Sarah visited the hospital every single day. She also visited hospitals and prisons every week. In the 1880s, she went with Katharine Tynan to visit people involved in the Land League movement who were in prison at Kilmainham Gaol.

Her Writings

Starting in the 1850s, Sarah Atkinson wrote many articles and essays about history and people's lives. Her work appeared in several publications. These included Duffy's Hibernian Magazine, The Month, The Nation, and the Freeman's Journal.

Later, she also wrote for the Irish Monthly and the Irish Quarterly Review. In 1875, her book Life of Mary Aikenhead was published and was very popular. She then wrote biographies about Irish sculptors John Henry Foley and John Hogan. She also wrote about the life of Catherine of Siena. After she passed away, a collection of her essays was published in 1895. It included an introduction and a story about her life written by Rosa Mulholland.