Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Mary Elizabeth Braddon: A Prolific Victorian Author
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Mary Elizabeth Braddon was born on February 24, 1835, in Exmouth, Devon, England. She is often referred to by her pen name, Mrs. Henry Wood.
Birth and Death Dates
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February 24, 1835 - March 2, 1915
Nationality and Profession(s)
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English novelist, journalist, and writer. Braddon's prolific output made her one of the most popular authors of her time, with over 80 novels published during her lifetime.
Early Life and Background
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Mary Elizabeth Braddon was born to Cornish parents, Mary and William Miles. Her father, a lawyer, died when she was just three years old. Braddon's early life was marked by poverty and hardship, but her family encouraged her love of reading and writing from an early age.
Major Accomplishments
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Braddon's most notable accomplishment is her novel _Lady Audley's Secret_, published in 1862 under the pseudonym Mary Elizabeth Braddon. This bestselling novel cemented her reputation as a masterful storyteller, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and social class.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Braddon's notable works include:
_Aurora Floyd_ (1863) - a romance novel that explores the complexities of relationships and social status.
_The Doctor's Wife_ (1864) - a novel that highlights the struggles faced by women in Victorian society.
* _Eleanor's Victory_ (1862) - a historical romance set during the Napoleonic Wars.
Impact and Legacy
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Mary Elizabeth Braddon's impact on literature is undeniable. Her novels not only captivated readers but also influenced the development of the genre, paving the way for future authors such as Thomas Hardy and Wilkie Collins. Braddon's writing often explored themes of social justice, feminism, and the role of women in society.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Braddon's legacy extends beyond her literary accomplishments. She was a pioneering figure in the world of journalism, founding _Belgravia_ magazine in 1866, which became a platform for her own writing as well as that of other notable authors of the time. Her innovative approach to storytelling and her tireless work ethic have made her an enduring figure in English literature.
Throughout her life, Braddon defied conventions by pursuing a career in writing despite societal expectations. Her determination and perseverance paved the way for future generations of women writers.
Quotes by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
The Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord.′ We repeated the holy sentences of resignation; but it was not resignation, it was despair that subdued the violence of our grief.
A modern writer likens coquettes to those hunters who do not eat the game which they have successfully pursued.
There was sufficient left, however, of the liveliness of a long time ago to give an air of ghastly mirth to the old woman’s manner, which made that manner extremely repulsive. What can be more repulsive than old age, which, shorn of the beauties and graces, is yet not purified from the follies or the vices of departed youth?
Paris is a mighty schoolmaster, a grand enlightener of the provincial intellect.
We are apt to be angry with this cruel hardness in our life – this unflinching regularity in the smaller wheels and meaner mechanism of the human machine, which knows no stoppage or cessation, though the mainspring be forever hollow, and the hands pointing to purposeless figures on a shattered dial.
Life is such a very troublesome matter, when all is said and done, that it’s as well even to take its blessings quietly.