Priscilla Wakefield

Rosy Aindow (University of Nottingham); Revised By: Janine McVeagh (Independent Scholar - Asia-Pacific)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.06: English Writing and Culture of the Romantic Period, 1789-1837.
Vol. editors: Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Daniel Robinson (Widener University), Emily Rohrbach (University of Durham)

Dates

Born 31 Jan 1751
Died 12 Sep 1832
Activity 1770-1832

Places

Born in England
Active in England

Cultural Identities

Feminist

Activities

Primary

Children's/Young Adult writer
Travel writer

Resources

Wakefield's Works

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Priscilla Wakefield (1751-1832) was the best-selling author of 18 books for children, young women and adults published under her own name, as well as several others published under a pseudonym or anonymously. She was the founder of three savings banks, one of which became the Post Office Savings Bank and was a philanthropist, abolitionist and activist in several other fields, particularly education for girls.

Priscilla Bell was born in Stamford Bridge, near London, to Quaker parents Daniel and Catherine Bell (nee Barclay), on January 31st, 1751. Daniel Bell was a coal merchant and the family was comfortably off. Catherine Bell’s father was the banker David Barclay, and her grandfather the Quaker apologist Robert Barclay (1648- 1690). Priscilla was the eldest of ten children, eight girls

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1796 words

Citation: Aindow, Rosy, Janine McVeagh. "Priscilla Wakefield". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 18 April 2006; last revised 23 October 2015. [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=4573, accessed 21 November 2024.]