Lifespan: 1806-1907
Nationality: English
Types of Work: Novels
Other Names: E. Randall
Bio:
Elizabeth Rachel Rosalie Dorothea Randall was born in Ireland in 1806. She was the daughter of Major Charles Randall and Rachel Harvey. As her father's only child, she inherited Swannington Hall in Norfolk, England, the family seat of the lords of Morton and Swannington, upon his death. Her aunt, Miss Fanny Randall, was a close friend of the famous novelist Madame de Stael, who died in her arms.
Elizabeth married John Robert Theophilus Hastings Parker (a man nearly 20 years her junior) on 28 Sept. 1858. Her husband's father was Captain Henry Parker of the Royal Navy, who, based on Naval records from the time, seems to have served on the HMS Britannia around the time of their marriage. It is through this connection that it seems Elizabeth met and sat for artist Frederick Piercy (1830-1891). Piercy worked as a drawing instructor on the HMS Britannia in Portsmouth between about 1857 and 1863 during which time he produced a number of portraits, his sitters including naval officers and female authors and poets. He showed a portrait (catalogue no 1325) at the Royal Academy in 1872 depicting “Mrs. Parker Hastings”. It is likely that the portrait was painted in the 1850s.
Elizabeth seems to have been very connected to the prominent literary circles of the her day, and was likely introduced to these people through the influence of her aunt, Fanny Randall. She published her first novel, Adele: A Tale of France under her maiden name (E. Randall) in 1838 and dedicated it to her mother. In the introduction, Elizabeth remarks that it was published after the "favorable opinion pronounced by one of the first and most philosophical writers of the day, as well as the probably too partial judgement of several literary friends." After her marriage, she and her husband lived in Dudwick House which was owned by Philip Sewell, brother of Anna Sewell, the author of Black Beauty.
Elizabeth published her second and final novel, Bentley Priory in 1859 (while living at Dudwick House) under the name Mrs. Hastings Parker.
After her father's death in 1865, Elizabeth inherited Swannington Hall, her family seat, but it does not seem that the Parkers ever lived there, or at least never made it a permanent residence as they are mentioned as being tenants of Dudwick House in multiple sources over many years. Captain Parker's obituary from September 1885 also lists his residence as Swannington Hall. Captain and Mrs. Hastings Parker are mentioned in a Parliamentary Commissioner's report on Swannington dated 1868 on the employment of children, young persons and women in agriculture. Elizabeth is listed in this report as being the "Lady of the manor". The Hasting Parkers are commended for their work in furthering good working conditions as well as educational opportunities for the youth of Swannington. An ornate thatched roof water pump was erected in the town to their memory in 1888.
Elizabeth died on 8 March 1907 at Dudwick House, leaving £26,000. There is some question as to her true age, but three obituaries from 1907 list her as having been "past her hundreth year" or a "centenarian", and one obituary lists her age as 101. This does seem possible as her father's obituary lists his age as 86 at his death in 1863.
(Thanks to Mr. Hugh Dogson for contributing to this biography)
Novels:
Adele: A Tale of France (1838)
Bentley Priory ( 1859)