Lifespan: 1816-1879
Nationality: English
Types of Work: Novels, biographies, journalism, essays, young adult fiction
Other Names: Silverpen
Bio:
Eliza Meteyard was born on 21 June 1816 in Lime Street, Liverpool to William Meteyard, a surgeon, and Mary Beckham. Her father became surgeon to the Shropshire militia and the family moved to Shewsbury. In 1829 they moved to Thorpe, new Norwich, and in 1842 finally settled in London.
Eliza was a proponent for female education and brought forward proposals for furthering the cause. She began her literary work in 1833 by helping to prepare reports for her eldest brother who was a tithe commissioner. She became a regular contributor to many periodicals by which she made her living.
Eliza wrote her first novel as a periodical series for Tait's Magazine in 1840. It was published in novel form in 1845 under the title Struggles for Fame. She continued to publish novels, biographies, essays, and short stories. Many of her works highlighted her views on social reforms and women's issues. She sometimes wrote under the pseudonym "Silverpen".
Eliza died on 4 April 1879 at Stanley Terrace, Fentiman Road, South Lambeth.
(A more detailed biography can be found on Wikipedia.)
Novels:
Struggle for Fame (1845)
Mainstone's Housekeeper (1860)
Lady Herbert's Gentle-woman (1862)