Anna Sewell is very different from our other authors so far. Black Beauty wasn't only her biggest novel, it was her only novel. There is very little information available about her. I was very sad to hear this, for her work, while scarce, was absolutely phenomenal.Early Life
Anna Sewell was born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England on March 30, 1820. Her mother was a successful author of children's books, which may explain her future endeavours. Unfortunately, when Sewell was fourteen she slipped while walking home from school and severely injured her ankles. Because of improper treatment, she was unable stand or walk without a crutch for the rest of her life. Her mother was a great help in her life and was always very important to Sewell.
Black Beauty
It took Sewell six years to write her beloved classic. For most of that time she was very ill and even writing was a struggle. Her mother was a great help to her and would transcribe anything she was able to write on scrap paper. Sewell never planned for Black Beauty to be a children's book; her plan was to "to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses". The book was published in 1877 to great success. The world recognized her literary genius in her groundbreaking autobiography from a horses perspective.
Unfortunately, Anna died five months later on April 30, 1878. While her work lives on, her many facts of her life have faded to obscurity. I hope that this will help you to remember a woman who cared for horses and did what she could to help them, even though she herself was bedridden with injury. I think Anna can be an inspiration to us all in how anyone can make a difference.
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Sewell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Beauty
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Beauty
Sounds like Anna related a lot about her injury into Black Beauty. It's a shame that Anna only got around to writting her one book but at least she was able to witness the success of the publication.
ReplyDeleteHer injury definitely helped, in my opinion, relate to the horses who weren't free to do whatever they wished. And it is really too bad she couldn't write more; her style was excellently simple yet refined. I would have loved to read other books by her.
DeleteEven though she only wrote one book it is amazing to see the legacy she left for herself.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. I only wish there was more information available about her inspiring life.
DeleteWhy is not much known about her? Was she of the lower classes or a sort of outcast of society due to her illness? If you liked Black Bueaty you should read "Call of the wild" and "White Fang". I read White Fang once. It's a very sad tale told through a half wolf/half dogs' eyes.
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