Wood, Ellen |
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BORN 17 Jan 1814, Worcester, Worcestershire - DIED 10 Feb 1887, London BIRTH NAME Price, Ellen CAUSE OF DEATH bronchitis GRAVE LOCATION London: Highgate Cemetery West, Swain's Lane, Highgate |
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Ellen Wood was born as Ellen Price and known as Mrs. Henry Wood. Her father was a glove-manufacturer. In her younger years she wrote about the lives of Lady Jane Grey and Catherine de Medici, but she destroyed her early work. When she was twenty she married the banker and shipowner Henry Wood. They lived in France for twenty years and had at least five children. From France she contributed short stories to New Monthly Magazine, starting in 1851. After the family business failed they returned to England and settled in Upper Norwood near London. Her first novel "Danesbury House" was published in 1860. Her second novel "East Lynne" (1861) was a sensation novel that suddenly turned her into a well known writer. In rapid succession 30 other novels followed. Henry Wood died in 1866. In 1867 she bought the Argosy magazine and became its editor, a post that she held until her death. She was buried at Highgate Cemetery West and her husband was disinterred to be buried beside her. |
| Images |
 The grave of Ellen Wood (known as Mrs. Henry Wood) at Highgate Cemetery West, London. Picture by Androom (12 Dec 1993) |
