Morgan, Sydney |
| NOVELIST (GREAT BRITAIN) |
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BORN 25 Dec 1781, Dublin - DIED 14 Apr 1859, London: 11 William Street, Knightsbridge BIRTH NAME Owenson, Sydney GRAVE LOCATION London: Brompton Cemetery, Old Brompton Road, West Brompton (AH 121.6 x 53.0) |
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Sydney Owenson was probably born on 25 December 1781 and perhaps earlier. She was certainly not born on 25 December 1785 as she stated herself. Her father was the actor and author Robert Owenson (1744-1812), her mother was Jane Hill. She was educated by her mother and at private schools. After the family experienced financial difficulties in 1798 she worked as a governess. She read widely and started writing. In 1804 her first novel "St. Clair" was influenced by Goethe and attracted attention. She made her name with "Wild Irish Girl" (1806). Her books were both praised and despised by different audiences. "The Missionary: An Indian Tale" (1811) was much liked by Percy Bysshe Shelley. She married Thomas Charles Morgan on 20 January 1812. He was the surgeon of the marquess of Abercorn. After he was knighted, she was known as Sydney, Lady Morgan. In 1814 she published her novel "O'Donnell". In 1817 she was accused of Jacobinism after she published "France", a study of France under the Bourbon Restoration. In 1821 "Italy" followed. She continued to write for the rest of her life. Her husband died in 1843. She befriended Geraldine Jewsbury, who wrote her memoirs for her. Sydney died in 1859 and she was buried at Brompton Cemetery in London. Related persons • was a friend of Jewsbury, Geraldine |
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 The grave of Sydney Morgan at Brompton Cemetery in London. Picture by Androom (16 Jun 2022) |
