Author Anna Sewell (30 March 1820 – 25 April 1878) was an English novelist best known for her classic novel “Black Beauty”. Below are a few facts about Ms. Sewel just in case you’re ever on Jeopardy.
Fun Facts about Anna Sewell:
1. Anna Sewell was part of a devout Quaker family.
2. Anna’s mother, Mary Wright Sewell, was a popular author of “juvenile bestsellers” including “Mother’s Last Words” which sold millions of copies throughout the world.
3. Anna Sewell never recovered fully from an accident she had. Her love for horses is attributed to her difficulty walking.
4. During the writing of “Black Beauty” Anna became sicker and sicker. The novel was finished only through her mother’s transcription and dictation.
5.While traveling in Europe seeking to improve her health, Sewell met several artists, philosophers and writers. The exposure is believed to have contributed to “Black Beauty”.
6. “Black Beauty” was Anna Sewell’s only publication.
7. Although considered a children’s classic, Sewell wrote “Black Beauty” for people who work with horses.
8. “Black Beauty” was suppose to have “a special aim being to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses”
9. Sadly, Sewell died several months after the release of “Black Beauty” and was never aware of its acclaim or phenomenal success.
10. Anna Sewell’s birthplace in Church Plain, Great Yarmouth, is now a museum
Zohar – Man of la Book
References:
- The Oxford guide to British women writers by Joanne Shattock. p. 385, Oxford University Press. (1993)
- The maker of the omnibus by Jack Hodges. p. 85. Sinclair-Stevenson (1992)
- Victorian fiction and the cult of the horse by Gina M. Dorré. p. 95. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. (2006).
- The literary guide and companion to Middle England by Robert M. Cooper. p. 306. Ohio University Press. (1993)
- Anna Sewel – Information, Facts and Links (http://www.enotes.com/authors/anna-sewell)
Related articles
- Penguin gets new threads courtesy of Jillian Tamaki (littleinterpretations.com)
- Booking Through Thursday – First Books (dragonflyy419.wordpress.com)
- Forgotten Bookmarks: Treasury Department Stationary in ‘Black Beauty’ (blogs.forbes.com)
- Horse Cruelty, Ignored. (annablakeblog.wordpress.com)
2 Comments
it’s a awesome book written by Anna sewell but i am sad that she can’t see her printed book
Anna’s book was amazinggggggggggg