Elizabeth Helme was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, one of the five children of Elizabeth and William Helme. Her mother, Elizabeth, was a school teacher and translator, and her father was a schoolmaster.[1][2] Despite these employments, the family frequently struggled financially.
Somerville found in the 1841 British census, along with a Mary Somerville, Jane Somerville, and Elizabeth Somerville.
In her later life, Somerville moved to Lancashire and lived in District Nine of that county.[3]
There is evidence that she and her family continued to suffer from economic precarity.[1][4] According to an 1841 census, she made her living by "independent means," which could refer to free-lance writing.[3]
Writingedit
Somerville began publishing in 1799 and initially published her works as "Elizabeth Helme" or "Elizabeth Helme, Junior." Unsurprisingly, some of her works have been on occasion mis-attributed to her mother. After 1801 she used her married name and published as "Mrs. Somerville."[5]
Worksedit
The following is a list of published works authored by Somerville, though there still remain some issues with attribution.[5]
James Manners, Little John, and their dog Bluff. By Elizabeth Helme, Jun. (London: Darton & Harvey / E. Newbery, 1799)[7][8]
Flora: or the deserted child. By Elizabeth Somerville. (London: Longman and Rees, 1800)[6][7]
Lessons for children of three years old (London: Benjamin Crosby and Co. / B. Tabart, 1800)[7][9]
Lessons, or, Short stories in two and three syllables, containing ... By Elizabeth Somerville. (London: Benjamin Crosby and Co. / B. Tabart, 1800)[7]
The village maid, or, Dame Burton's moral stories for the instruction and amusement of youth. By Elizabeth Somerville. (London: Vernor and Hood, Poultry, 1801)[7][10]
The birth-day, or, Moral dialogues and stories for the instruction and amusement of juvenile readers (1802)[11]
Mabel Woodbine and her sister Lydia: a tale interspersed with moral and original stories. By Elizabeth Somerville. (London: B. Crosby and Co., 1802)[7]
The new children in the wood, or, The Welch cottagers: a tale. By Elizabeth Somerville. (London: B. Crosby and Co., 1802)[7]
Choice tales, for the improvement of youth of both sexes (1803)[12]
Preludes to Knowledge, Or, Amusing and Instructive Conversations on History, Astronomy, Geography, Optics, and the Division of Time in Different Countries. Interspersed with Stories, Moral and Entertaining (1803)[13]
Sacred Lectures from the holy scriptures, on the old and New Testament; interspersed with moral and religious reflections. Expressly written for the purpose of implanting in the minds of youth early impressions of the duty they owe to their creator; and shewing the dreadful consequences of sin and disobedience. By Elizabeth Somerville, author of several juvenile publications. In two volumes. (London: T. Hurst, 1803)[7]
The history of little Charles, and his friend Frank Wilful (1808)[14]
Aurora and Maria; or the Advantages of Adversity. A Moral Tale. (London: Philip Norbury, 1809)[7][15]
The history of little Phoebe and the reclaimed child (1809)[16]
Receptionedit
The British Critic describes Somerville's Preludes to knowledge… as “a very [pleasing] and proper book for children about ten or twelve years of age, in which [amusement] is judiciously blended with [instruction]."[17]
The Biographical Dictionary of Authors in Great Britain (1816) refers to Somerville as an "author of several ingenious books for children."[18]
In the Anti-Jacobin Review, Somerville's book Aurora and Maria; or the Advantages of Adversity. A Moral Tale, is described as "a very neat, interesting, instructive, and moral tale, replete with natural and affecting incidents, impressive examples, and salutary lessons very well adapted to...improve the minds of the youth."[15]
Frontispiece from Elizabeth Somerville's James Manners, little John, and their dog Bluff (London: Darton and Harvey / E. Newbery, 1801)
Title page from Elizabeth Somerville's James Manners, little John, and their dog Bluff (London: Darton and Harvey / E. Newbery, 1801)
Page from Elizabeth Somerville's The history of little Charles, and his friend Frank Wilful: embellished with cuts (Originally printed in London. U.S. edition: Litchfield [Conn.]: Printed by Hosmer & Goodwin, 1808, p. 10 ).
Woodcut from Elizabeth Somerville's The history of little Charles, and his friend Frank Wilful: embellished with cuts (Originally printed in London. U.S. edition: Litchfield [Conn.]: Printed by Hosmer & Goodwin, 1808, p. 11).
Referencesedit
^ abc"Corvey | Adopt an Author". extra.shu.ac.uk. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
^ "Helme, Elizabeth." British Travel Writing (University of Wolverhampton)
^ ab"Ancestry Library Edition". www.ancestrylibrary.com. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
^"Login". searcharchives.bl.uk. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
^ ab"Elizabeth Helme Somerville." Orlando: Women’s Writing in the British Isles from the Beginnings to the Present. Accessed 10 July 2022. (Orlando)
^ abWatson, George; Willison, Ian R. (1969). The New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature. Cambridge University Press. ISBN9780521079341.
^ abcdefghi "Somerville, Elizabeth." The Women's Print History Project, 2019, Person ID 1426. Accessed 2022-07-10. (WPHP)
^Somerville, Elizabeth (1801). James Manners, little John, and their dog Bluff. University of California Libraries. London : Printed for the Proprietors : and sold by Darton and Harvey, Grace-Church Street : and E. Newbery, St. Paul's Church Yard.
^"Search Results [gatech.on.worldcat.org]". gatech.on.worldcat.org. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
^Somerville, Elizabeth; Tanner, Benjamin (1802). The village maid, or, Dame Burton's moral stories for the instruction and amusement of youth ... : to which are added, Plain tales. University of California Libraries. Philadelphia : Printed and sold by John Bioren, no. 88, Chesnut Street.
^Somerville, Elizabeth (1803). The birth-day, or, Moral dialogues and stories for the instruction and amusement of juvenile readers. Huddersfield: Printed by Brook & Lancashire for B. Crosby and Co. OCLC 30931036.
^Somerville, Elizabeth (c. 1803). Choice tales, for the improvement of youth of both sexes. University of California Libraries. New-York : Printed and sold by G. & R. Waite, No. 64, Maiden-Lane.
^"Preludes to knowledge, or, Amusing and instructive conversations on history, astronomy, geography, optics, and the division of time in different countries". ufdc.ufl.edu. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
^Somerville, Elizabeth (1808). The history of little Charles, and his friend Frank Wilful : embellished with cuts. University of California Libraries. Litchfield [Conn.]: Printed by Hosmer & Goodwin.
^ abThe Anti-Jacobin Review and Magazine. J. Whittle. 1809. p. 309. elizabeth somerville lessons for children review.
^Somerville, Elizabeth (1815). The history of little Phoebe and the reclaimed child. Hartford: Printed by Sheldon et Goodwin. OCLC 926913447.
^Watkins, John; Shoberl, Frederic (1816). A Biographical Dictionary of the Living Authors of Great Britain and Ireland: Comparising Literary Memoirs and Anecdotes of Their Lives; and a Chronological Register of Their Publications, with the Number of Editions Printed; Including Notices of Some Foreign Writers Whose Works Have Been Occasionally Published in England. Colburn. p. 324. elizabeth somerville 1774 juvenile.
January 01, 1970
elizabeth, somerville, née, helme, 1774, 1840, scottish, novelist, wrote, primarily, children, also, school, mistress, title, page, choice, tales, improvement, youth, both, sexes, edition, york, waite, 1803, bornhelme1774lanarkshire, scotlanddied1840occupation. Elizabeth Somerville nee Helme 1774 1840 was a Scottish novelist who wrote primarily for children She was also a school mistress 1 Elizabeth SomervilleTitle page of Elizabeth Somerville s Choice tales for the improvement of youth of both sexes U S edition New York G amp R Waite ca 1803 BornHelme1774Lanarkshire ScotlandDied1840OccupationWriterLanguageEnglishSubjectChildren s literature conduct literatureRelativesElizabeth Helme mother Contents 1 Life 2 Writing 2 1 Works 2 2 Reception 3 ReferencesLife editElizabeth Helme was born in Lanarkshire Scotland one of the five children of Elizabeth and William Helme Her mother Elizabeth was a school teacher and translator and her father was a schoolmaster 1 2 Despite these employments the family frequently struggled financially nbsp Somerville found in the 1841 British census along with a Mary Somerville Jane Somerville and Elizabeth Somerville In her later life Somerville moved to Lancashire and lived in District Nine of that county 3 There is evidence that she and her family continued to suffer from economic precarity 1 4 According to an 1841 census she made her living by independent means which could refer to free lance writing 3 Writing editSomerville began publishing in 1799 and initially published her works as Elizabeth Helme or Elizabeth Helme Junior Unsurprisingly some of her works have been on occasion mis attributed to her mother After 1801 she used her married name and published as Mrs Somerville 5 Works edit The following is a list of published works authored by Somerville though there still remain some issues with attribution 5 The faithful mirror 1799 6 James Manners Little John and their dog Bluff By Elizabeth Helme Jun London Darton amp Harvey E Newbery 1799 7 8 Flora or the deserted child By Elizabeth Somerville London Longman and Rees 1800 6 7 Lessons for children of three years old London Benjamin Crosby and Co B Tabart 1800 7 9 Lessons or Short stories in two and three syllables containing By Elizabeth Somerville London Benjamin Crosby and Co B Tabart 1800 7 The village maid or Dame Burton s moral stories for the instruction and amusement of youth By Elizabeth Somerville London Vernor and Hood Poultry 1801 7 10 The birth day or Moral dialogues and stories for the instruction and amusement of juvenile readers 1802 11 Mabel Woodbine and her sister Lydia a tale interspersed with moral and original stories By Elizabeth Somerville London B Crosby and Co 1802 7 The new children in the wood or The Welch cottagers a tale By Elizabeth Somerville London B Crosby and Co 1802 7 Choice tales for the improvement of youth of both sexes 1803 12 Preludes to Knowledge Or Amusing and Instructive Conversations on History Astronomy Geography Optics and the Division of Time in Different Countries Interspersed with Stories Moral and Entertaining 1803 13 Sacred Lectures from the holy scriptures on the old and New Testament interspersed with moral and religious reflections Expressly written for the purpose of implanting in the minds of youth early impressions of the duty they owe to their creator and shewing the dreadful consequences of sin and disobedience By Elizabeth Somerville author of several juvenile publications In two volumes London T Hurst 1803 7 The history of little Charles and his friend Frank Wilful 1808 14 Aurora and Maria or the Advantages of Adversity A Moral Tale London Philip Norbury 1809 7 15 The history of little Phoebe and the reclaimed child 1809 16 Reception edit The British Critic describes Somerville s Preludes to knowledge as a very pleasing and proper book for children about ten or twelve years of age in which amusement is judiciously blended with instruction 17 The Biographical Dictionary of Authors in Great Britain 1816 refers to Somerville as an author of several ingenious books for children 18 In the Anti Jacobin Review Somerville s book Aurora and Maria or the Advantages of Adversity A Moral Tale is described as a very neat interesting instructive and moral tale replete with natural and affecting incidents impressive examples and salutary lessons very well adapted to improve the minds of the youth 15 nbsp Frontispiece from Elizabeth Somerville s James Manners little John and their dog Bluff London Darton and Harvey E Newbery 1801 nbsp Title page from Elizabeth Somerville s James Manners little John and their dog Bluff London Darton and Harvey E Newbery 1801 nbsp Page from Elizabeth Somerville s The history of little Charles and his friend Frank Wilful embellished with cuts Originally printed in London U S edition Litchfield Conn Printed by Hosmer amp Goodwin 1808 p 10 nbsp Woodcut from Elizabeth Somerville s The history of little Charles and his friend Frank Wilful embellished with cuts Originally printed in London U S edition Litchfield Conn Printed by Hosmer amp Goodwin 1808 p 11 References edit a b c Corvey Adopt an Author extra shu ac uk Retrieved 8 February 2018 Helme Elizabeth British Travel Writing University of Wolverhampton a b Ancestry Library Edition www ancestrylibrary com Retrieved 12 February 2018 Login searcharchives bl uk Retrieved 12 February 2018 a b Elizabeth Helme Somerville Orlando Women s Writing in the British Isles from the Beginnings to the Present Accessed 10 July 2022 Orlando a b Watson George Willison Ian R 1969 The New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature Cambridge University Press ISBN 9780521079341 a b c d e f g h i Somerville Elizabeth The Women s Print History Project 2019 Person ID 1426 Accessed 2022 07 10 WPHP Somerville Elizabeth 1801 James Manners little John and their dog Bluff University of California Libraries London Printed for the Proprietors and sold by Darton and Harvey Grace Church Street and E Newbery St Paul s Church Yard Search Results gatech on worldcat org gatech on worldcat org Retrieved 8 February 2018 Somerville Elizabeth Tanner Benjamin 1802 The village maid or Dame Burton s moral stories for the instruction and amusement of youth to which are added Plain tales University of California Libraries Philadelphia Printed and sold by John Bioren no 88 Chesnut Street Somerville Elizabeth 1803 The birth day or Moral dialogues and stories for the instruction and amusement of juvenile readers Huddersfield Printed by Brook amp Lancashire for B Crosby and Co OCLC 30931036 Somerville Elizabeth c 1803 Choice tales for the improvement of youth of both sexes University of California Libraries New York Printed and sold by G amp R Waite No 64 Maiden Lane Preludes to knowledge or Amusing and instructive conversations on history astronomy geography optics and the division of time in different countries ufdc ufl edu Retrieved 8 February 2018 Somerville Elizabeth 1808 The history of little Charles and his friend Frank Wilful embellished with cuts University of California Libraries Litchfield Conn Printed by Hosmer amp Goodwin a b The Anti Jacobin Review and Magazine J Whittle 1809 p 309 elizabeth somerville lessons for children review Somerville Elizabeth 1815 The history of little Phoebe and the reclaimed child Hartford Printed by Sheldon et Goodwin OCLC 926913447 The British Critic F and C Rivington 1803 Watkins John Shoberl Frederic 1816 A Biographical Dictionary of the Living Authors of Great Britain and Ireland Comparising Literary Memoirs and Anecdotes of Their Lives and a Chronological Register of Their Publications with the Number of Editions Printed Including Notices of Some Foreign Writers Whose Works Have Been Occasionally Published in England Colburn p 324 elizabeth somerville 1774 juvenile Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Elizabeth Somerville amp oldid 1180843638, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
