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Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Mary Louisa Molesworth

 Mary Louisa Molesworth was a prominent English writer who mainly specialized in children’s stories. She was born on 29^th May 1839 in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands, and later passed on in 1921 at the age of 81 in London, England.

She was born to her mother Mary Louisa Stewart in Rotterdam and they later moved to Manchester in 1841. She lived a middle-class life during her childhood life and she was first educated at home by her mother.

After she joined the boarding school in Switzerland, she was taught by Reverend William Gaskell. Gaskell played a very big role, particularly in helping Mary Louisa Molesworth to advance in her literary style.

She frequently visited her maternal grandmother who was a good storyteller and she greatly influenced her and awakened her desire to become an author.

After a long journey in her life, Mary finally settled in London in 1885 where she made friends with prominent authors such as Rudyard Kipling and Walter Pater.

Below are the top ten outstanding facts about Mary Louisa Molesworth

1. Mary Louisa Molesworth had a Difficult Marriage

Mary Louisa Molesworth was married to Major Richard Molesworth in 1861, but she went on with the marriage without the approval of her mother. Together, the couple had seven children but the marriage later proved to be difficult.

Major Richard Molesworth received a head injury during the Crimean war which they alleged that it caused him to act violently.

In 1869, the oldest daughter named Violet passed on as a result of scarlet fever. Shortly after her death, Richard Walter, who was their son also died when he was barely three months.

2. Her Writing Career was Influenced Greatly by her Teacher

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Mary Louisa Molesworth was greatly influenced by Reverend William Gaskell who was her instructor. He was the husband of Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell who was very popular as an English novelist and she inspired writers such as George Eliot.

Gaskell was of great help to Mary Louisa Molesworth, particularly in the development of her literary style.

3. Her Passion to Become an Author was Awakened by her Grandmother

Mary Louisa Molesworth’s interest to become a children’s writer was awakened by her maternal grandmother. Her grandmother, who then lived in Scotland, was one of the best storytellers of the time.

Mary Louisa Molesworth used to visit her at least once a year and she would tell her different fascinating stories.

Her mind was filled with countless tales which awakened her interest in becoming an author.

4. Mary Louisa Molesworth Began Publishing Her Stories in Magazines

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Immediately after Mary Louisa Molesworth was inspired to become an author, she began humbly publishing her stories in magazines.

During her young age, she loved to go on vacations to England’s Lancashire coast. This was her main source of the various ideas that provided her with experience that she utilized in her works.

5. She Supported her Children Through her Writing Career

Following the numerous marriage difficulties between Mary Louisa Molesworth and her husband, they finally obtained a legal separation. They however never divorced and as a result of monetary problems as well as emotional stress, she began her writing career to support her children.

She was a very committed writer with about six books per year. Of the first seven books that she wrote, three were children’s books while four were adult books. Her first books were also published under the name of her childhood friend who had disappeared in Africa.

6. Her Book 鈥淭he Cuckoo Clock鈥� is Regarded as Classics of Children鈥檚 Literature

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The Cuckoo Clock which was published in 1879 has been considered a classic of children’s literature. The book combines the elements of domestic fantasy as well as the realistic prose style.

The lead of the book is a girl named Griselda who is young, and lonely and lives with her two aunts in a strange house. 

7. She pioneered a Distinctive Style in Children’s Literature

Apart from the various fantasies from Mary Louisa Molesworth, she also pioneered a distinctive style in children’s literature. She would write about ordinary life and the various problems experienced by middle-class children.

To impact her message, she would include some imaginative elements in her work to engage her audience. 

She would also reveal the difference between fantasy and reality through her interpolation of stories, direct address to the narrator, and dream sequences.

8. She Received Praise from the Entire World for her Tales of Children

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Mary Louisa Molesworth was greatly praised with letters from different countries concerning her beautiful tales of children. She even received praise from royalty including Princess of Wales, Alexandra, and Victor Emmanuel 3 who were heard reporting their admiration of Molesworth’s tales of children.

She was also celebrated by the member of the literary world and her books sold very well in all the countries.

9. She was Commended for Use of Mature Language

Mary Louisa Molesworth was recommended particularly for her use of mature language in her writing and the direct address of the reader. She is also known as a strict writer who refused to condescend to her audience.

She did this in her efforts to increase her vocabulary for her readership which was not the norm for children’s literature during the time. 

10. 鈥淭he Carved Lions鈥� is one of her Great Works

The story is about her a young girl who was forced to leave her family to join a boarding school. In that new environment, she escapes to a furniture shop to meet the wooden carved lions. The wooden lions come alive in her dreams and finally help her to deal with her trouble.

Mary Louisa Molesworth was a very prominent writer known for the uniqueness of her works which received recognition from different people. However, her marriage proved to be so difficult that they ended up in a legal separation. She was greatly inspired by her teacher and her grandmother who was a good storyteller.