Image of Alice Meynell

Timeline

Lifetime: 1847 - 1922 Passed: ≈ 102 years ago

Title

Writer, Editor, Critic

Country/Nationality

United Kingdom
Wikipedia

Alice Meynell

Alice Meynell (11 October 1847 – 27 November 1922) was a British writer, editor, critic, and suffragist, now remembered mainly as a poet. She was born in London to a wealthy family, and her father was a prominent Catholic journalist. Meynell was educated at home, and she began writing poetry and essays at a young age.

Meynell's early work was published in various magazines and journals, and she soon became a leading figure in the Victorian literary scene. She was known for her graceful and elegant style, and her poems often dealt with themes of love, motherhood, and nature. Meynell was also a vocal advocate for women's rights, and she wrote extensively on the subject.

In 1875, Meynell married Wilfrid Meynell, a fellow writer and editor. The couple had seven children, and Meynell continued to write and publish throughout her life. She was a regular contributor to The Times Literary Supplement, and she also edited several anthologies of poetry.

Meynell's most famous poems include "Renouncement," "A Father's Thoughts," and "The Shepherdess." She also wrote several essays that are still considered classics of English literature, such as "The Rhythm of Life" and "The Colour of Life."

Meynell died in 1922 at the age of 75. She is buried in the Brompton Cemetery in London. Her legacy is one of a talented and influential writer who helped to shape the course of English literature.

Meynell's philosophy was one of gentleness, modesty, and restraint. She believed that art and writing should be used to elevate the human spirit, and she often wrote about the importance of beauty, simplicity, and truth. Meynell was also a strong advocate for social justice, and she believed that women should have equal rights and opportunities.

Meynell is remembered today as a talented poet, essayist, and critic. Her work continues to be read and admired by people all over the world. She is also remembered as a pioneer in the fight for women's rights, and her work helped to pave the way for future generations of women writers.

Here are some interesting facts about Alice Meynell:

  • She was a devout Catholic, and her faith influenced her writing throughout her life.
  • She was a close friend of the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins, and she helped to promote his work after his death.
  • She was a vocal critic of the Industrial Revolution, and she believed that it was destroying the beauty of the natural world.
  • She was a supporter of the arts, and she helped to found the Poetry Society in London.

Alice Meynell was a remarkable woman who made significant contributions to British literature and culture. Her work continues to be read and admired by people all over the world, and she is remembered as a pioneer in the fight for women's rights.

Books by Alice Meynell

The Moon To The Sun Cover image

The Moon To The Sun

Poetry
Love Beauty Nature Poems Spirituality Relationships Verses Fortnightly Beautiful Moon

"What would the Moon say to the Sun if she could speak?" In this beautiful and thought-provoking poem, Alice Meynell imagines a conversation between the Moon and the Sun. The Moon asks the Sun why he is so bright, and the Sun replies that he is brig...

Thrush Before Dawn Cover image

Thrush Before Dawn

Poetry Non-Fiction Essays
Love Metaphor Beauty Victorian Death Nature Time Symbolism Life Spirituality Mysticism Poetry Classic Song Feminist English Literary Bird Dawn Morning

LibriVox volunteers bring you 12 different recordings of A Thrush Before Dawn by Alice Meynell. This was the weekly poetry project for the week of June 8th, 2008.

Letter From A Girl To Her Own Old Age Cover image

Letter From A Girl To Her Own Old Age

Poetry Philosophy Essays
Love Beauty Future Youth Time Reflection Life Memory Philosophy Change Old age Aging

Alice Meynell's "A Letter From A Girl To Her Own Old Age" is a poignant and contemplative poem that explores the passage of time and its impact on the human experience. The poem takes the form of a letter written by a young girl to her future self,...

Colour of Life Cover image

Colour of Life

Philosophy Non-Fiction Essays
Life Philosophy Observations Essays Dream-like

This collection of essays by English poet and author Alice Meynell explores various ideas and phenomena observed by the author. The essays are characterized by their dream-like quality, as they delve into complex concepts in a lyrical and evocative m...

Fold Cover image

Fold

Poetry Non-Fiction Essays
Women's Rights Politics Literature Imperialism British Empire Ethics Criticism Poetry Social Justice Colonialism Victorian era Suffragist

Alice Meynell's 'Fold' is a collection of poems that reflects her deep engagement with the social and political issues of her time. The poems explore themes of colonialism, imperialism, and the struggle for women's rights. Meynell, a prominent voice...

Poems Cover image

Poems

Poetry Philosophy Religion
Love Victorian Death Nature Art Childhood Music Poetry Spiritual Feminist Domesticity Catholic

This collection of poems by Alice Meynell showcases her distinctive style, characterized by its lyrical beauty, intellectual depth, and exploration of themes of faith, love, nature, and the human condition. Meynell's work often centers on the nuance...

Father of Women and Other Poems Cover image

Father of Women and Other Poems

Poetry Non-Fiction Religion
Love Religion Death Nature Faith Spirituality England Feminism Catholicism Poetry Women Suffrage

This collection of poems by Alice Meynell, published in 1922, reflects her life and work. Meynell was a prominent figure in the late Victorian and Edwardian literary scene, known for her refined and evocative poetry. The volume showcases her explorat...

London Impressions Cover image

London Impressions

History Non-Fiction Essays Travel Art
19th century Culture Society Atmosphere England London Victorian era Literary Essays City Life Evocative Suffragist

Alice Meynell's 'London Impressions' offers a glimpse into the late 19th-century London through a series of essays. Meynell, a prominent writer and suffragist, captures the city's atmosphere, its vibrant culture, and the daily lives of its inhabitan...

Children Cover image

Children

Non-Fiction Essays Children's Literature
Family Children Literature Education Literary Criticism Childhood Feminism Suffrage Victorian era Parenting Essays Child development

Alice Meynell's 'Children' is a collection of insightful essays that explore the complexities of childhood and the unique perspective of observing and understanding children. Meynell, a prominent figure in Victorian literary circles and a staunch ad...

Spirit of Place and Other Essays Cover image

Spirit of Place and Other Essays

Philosophy Non-Fiction Essays
Nature Women's Rights Literature Culture Criticism Poetry social commentary Suffrage Philosophy Essays Rain Spirit of place Foot Horizon Shadows

This collection of essays by Alice Meynell, a prominent English essayist and poet, delves into a wide range of subjects, showcasing her keen observation and insightful reflections. From the evocative exploration of the 'Spirit of Place' to playful mu...

Ceres’ Runaway & Other Essays Cover image

Ceres’ Runaway & Other Essays

Non-Fiction Essays
Children Literature Travel London Essays Roman Catholicism Late Nineteenth Century Suffragism

Ceres' Runaway & Other Essays by Alice Meynell offers a captivating collection of essays that transport readers to the vibrant streets of London in the late nineteenth century. This book captures the essence of the time through Meynell's evocative pr...

Rhythm of Life and Other Essays Cover image

Rhythm of Life and Other Essays

Philosophy Non-Fiction Essays
Nature Literature Art Criticism Literary Figures Poetry Suffrage Flower Essays Sun Women Writers Reflections Oliver Wendell Holmes James Russell Lowell Francis Thompson

Alice Meynell's 'Rhythm of Life and Other Essays' is a diverse collection of insightful and beautifully written essays exploring a range of subjects. From reflections on natural phenomena like the sun and flowers to literary figures like Oliver Wend...

Hearts of Controversy Cover image

Hearts of Controversy

Non-Fiction Essays
19th century Culture Literary Criticism Victorian literature English literature Essays Tennyson Dickens Roman Catholicism Suffragism Brontë Sisters

In "Hearts of Controversy", Alice Meynell, a prominent English essayist and poet, offers her insightful perspectives on some of the most celebrated literary figures of her time. She delves into the works and personalities of Charles Dickens, Tennyso...

Later Poems Cover image

Later Poems

Poetry Religion
Religion Nature Faith Devotion Spirituality Prayer Worship Catholicism Meditation Poetry Verse Belief

This collection of poems by Alice Meynell explores themes of faith, nature, and the natural world. Meynell is a British poet who is known for her lyrical, introspective, and religious verse. This collection is a testament to her faith and her love of...

West Wind in Winter Cover image

West Wind in Winter

Poetry Non-Fiction Essays
Love Victorian Death Nature Faith Loss Spirituality England Winter Poetry Wind

West Wind in Winter is a collection of poems by Alice Meynell, a prominent Victorian poet known for her contemplative and lyrical style. The poems explore themes of nature, love, loss, faith, and mortality, often finding beauty in the simple and ever...

Shepherdess Cover image

Shepherdess

Poetry Essays
Love Pastoral Victorian Religion Imagery Nature Symbolism Loss Spirituality Femininity Emotion Poetry

Alice Meynell's "The Shepherdess" is a collection of poems exploring themes of love, loss, nature, and spirituality. Known for her lyrical style and evocative imagery, Meynell's work delves into the complexities of human emotions and the search for m...