Lifespan: 6 January 1800- 30 January 1881
Nationality: Irish
Genres: children's fiction, romance, short stories
Types of Work: Novels, children's stories, short stories,
Other Names: Mrs. S.C. Hall
Bio:
Anna Maria Hall was born on 6 January 1800 in Dublin, Ireland. Her father died early, and her widowed mother, Sarah Elizabeth Fielding, married George Carr, with whom the two women lived until 1815 when Sarah moved herself and Anna Maria to England. The Fieldings were said to be a family of high respectability in Ireland.
Though Anna Maria spent most of her life in England, the early impressions her native country made upon her shaped her later literary career. Most, if not all, of her works were about or took place in Ireland.
On 20 September 1824, Anna Maria married Samuel Carter Hall, a well--known author and artist. Shortly after her marriage, she published her first work, Sketches of Irish Character, in 1829. She issued a sequel to this work in 1831. In 1832, she published her first novel, The Buccaneer, an historical romance set in England. In 1840, Anna Maria published her most popular novel, Marian, or a Young Maid's Fortunes
Anna Maria and her husband resided, for many years, at The Rosery, Old Brompton, near London. Later, the couple moved to Surrey, where Mr. Hall served as the editor of the "Art-Journal", and Anna Maria was a constant contributor to it. It was in this publication that one of her most interesting works, "Midsummer Eve; a Fairy Tale of Love" first was published, and was illustrated by some of the most distinguished artists in England at the time.
Anna Maria was known as a benevolent woman, and was active in promoting woman's education and social reform in favor of women. She founded the Hospital for Consumption at Brompton, The Governesses' Institute, the Home for Decayed Gentlewomen, and the Nightingale Fund.
Anna Maria always penned her works under the name "Mrs. S.C. Hall". She died at Devon Lodge, East Moulsey, on 30 January 1881 and was buried in Addlestone churchyard.
Novels:
The Buccaneer (1832)
Uncle Horace (1835)
The Outlaw (1835)
Harry O'Reardon, or, Illustrations of Irish Pride
Marian, or a Young Maid's Fortunes (1840)
Midsummer Eve; a Fairy Tale of Love (1848)