Sarah Scudgell Wilkinson facts for kids

Sarah Scudgell Wilkinson (born December 14, 1779 – died March 19, 1831) was an English author. She wrote many books, including stories for children, longer novels, and small, inexpensive books called chapbooks.

Sarah Wilkinson's Early Life

Sarah Carr Wilkinson was born on December 14, 1779. Her parents were Hannah and William. Sarah grew up in a middle-class family, though they sometimes faced financial challenges.

When she was young, Sarah loved literature and wanted to be a writer. She made important connections by reading aloud to Lady Charlotte Finch, who was blind. In 1788, a book called Midsummer Holydays; or, A Long Story was published. It was believed to be written by Sarah Wilkinson. This was later confirmed when another book, Visits to the Parsonage; or, the Juvenile Assembly, came out.

Her Adult Life and Work

Sarah Wilkinson lived in London for most of her life. In 1806, she lived in Soho, and in 1807, she was in Westminster. Later, in 1818, she lived near Maidenhead in Berkshire. She had a husband named Scadgell, who passed away in 1818. They had a daughter named Amelia, who was born around 1807.

For some years, Sarah ran a circulating library, which is like a library where people pay to borrow books. Lady Charlotte Finch helped her get this business started. However, the library did not succeed after 1811.

Sarah found other ways to earn money. She took in people who paid to live in her home. She also taught at the Whitechapel Free School in eastern London. Later, she worked as a teacher in Bray, Berkshire, and even started her own day-school.

In 1818, Sarah asked for financial help from the Royal Literary Fund, an organization that supports writers. She received small amounts of money from them. By 1820, she was trying to support herself by running a small shop where she sold tape and picture books for children.

Sarah continued to write and edit books. She asked the Royal Literary Fund for help again, explaining that it was hard for women to earn enough money. Her publishers also supported her requests, saying she worked very hard. Sarah's daughter, Amelia, found work in a lady's household. In 1824, the Royal Literary Fund gave Sarah money for her medical care.

Sarah Wilkinson passed away on March 19, 1831, in St Margaret's Workhouse in Westminster.

Sarah Wilkinson's Writing Career

Sarah Wilkinson wrote about 50 chapbooks. These were small, inexpensive books, often containing popular stories or poems. About a third of her chapbooks were new versions of older romance stories. She also wrote a few original novels, like The Thatched Cottage. Besides these, she wrote a textbook for schools and various other works for children.

Notable Books by Sarah Wilkinson

• The tragical history of Crazy Jane, and Young Henry: giving an account of their birth, parentage, courtship, and melancholy end: founded on facts (1800)
• Monkcliffe Abbey, or, The history of Albert, Elwina, and Adeline (1807)
• The maid of Lochlin, or, Northern mysteries : a Scottish romance (1804)
• Convent of Grey Penitents : or, the Apostate Nun. A romance (1810)
• The Fugitive Countess; or, Convent of St. Ursula. A Romance (1807)
• New Tales (1819)
• The History of Crazy Jane (1813)
• The Eventful History of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, the flower of English chivalry, and the Princess Mary of England; an original romance, founded on historical facts (1820)
• The pathetic and interesting history of George Barnwell, the London 'prentice: founded on facts (1804)
• A visit to a farm-house, or, An introduction to various subjects connected with rural economy (1804)
• Therese; or, The orphan of Geneva: an interesting romance (1821)
• A Visit to London: containing a description of the principal curiosities in the British metropolis (1810)
• Priory of St. Clair: or, Spectre of the murdered nun, a gothic tale. (1811)
• The Pirate, or, The Sisters of Burgh Westra: a tale of the islands of Shetland and Orkney; epitomized from the celebrated novel of the same title written by the author of Waverly (1822)
• Ivy Castle, or, The eve of St. Agnes: being an interesting history of the Wilmington family, including memoirs of Lord Colville and Agnes St. Eustace: founded on facts (1822)
• The abbott (182-)
• Hodgson's universal valentine writer, for the current year: being a choice collection of original amatory epistles, addresses, answers, &c. &c.: adapted to the use of persons of either sex; and suited to all ranks and conditions of lovers, and would-be lovers (1822)
• The subterraneous passage ; or, Gothic cell: a romance. (1803)
• Albert of Werdendorff; or, The midnight embrace : A romance, from the German (1800)