Lady Mary Anne Barker

Jenny Robin Jones (Independent Scholar - Europe)

Ed. by Mark Williams, Victoria University of Wellington
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 9.1.2: New Zealand Writing and Culture.
Vol. editors: Doreen D'Cruz (Massey University), Jennifer Lawn (Massey University), John C. Ross (Massey University), Mark Williams (Victoria University of Wellington)

Dates

Born c. 1831
Died 1911
Activity 1851-1911

Places

Born in Jamaica
Active in New Zealand

Activities

Primary

Autobiographer
Children's/Young Adult writer
Colonialist
Journalist

Resources

Barker's Works

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Lady Barker was an English gentlewoman temperamentally suited to meeting the challenges of pioneer life in the colonies. During her three-year farming sojourn in New Zealand's Canterbury, she learned the art of independent thought and laid the basis for becoming a professional writer. Her letters home formed the basis of

Station Life in New Zealand

which became a colonial classic, as did books about subsequent experiences in South Africa and Western Australia.

Mary Anne Stewart was born in 1831 in Spanish Town, Jamaica, where her father was Acting Colonial Secretary. At the age of four she was sent to live with her grandfather near Dublin for the sake of health and education. At sixteen her meagre education petered out, and she returned to Jamaica. There she met and married the new

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998 words

Citation: Jones, Jenny Robin. "Lady Mary Anne Barker". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 20 December 2004 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=261, accessed 21 November 2024.]