Evelyn Sharp: Rebel Woman, 1869–1955

by Angela V. John, Chantal Hamil (Contributor)

This is the first biography of a remarkable writer and incorrigible rebel. Evelyn Sharp’s story encapsulates the shifts in opportunities for talented Victorian women who survived into the mid-twentieth century.

She was born into a privileged family in 1869 and became a very popular writer of schoolgirl fiction. Extremely versatile, she also produced fairy tales alongside stories for the infamous Yellow Book. A Manchester Guardian journalist for over four decades, Evelyn Sharp became the first regular contributor to its iconic Women’s Page. Before and during the First World War she was a leading suffragette, editing the newspaper, Votes for Women.

This biography draws on Evelyn Sharp’s publications, as well as letter and diaries vividly describing experiences such as famine relief in Soviet Russia and daily life in wartime Kensington for and elderly woman. It will be of interest to gender and social historians as well as to those interested in children’s and women’s literature.

281 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

Reviews

[Lesley]

Good and detailed study of a fascinating woman, perhaps a little dry and distanced in style, which may be down to the nature of the sources. Also, is apparently a diptych with John's bio of her (finally after an extramarital affair of many years) husband Henry W Nevinson.