FRANCES ROLLESTON BRITISH LADY, SCHOLAR AND WRITER OF MAZZAROTH 
by Jane S Poole
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First biography of a remarkable 19th century woman. Reveals Frances Rolleston as the author came to know her through her letters. Comfortable, personal voice. Thematic presentation: each chapter focuses on one character trait, activity, interest or event. Generally chronological.
​330+ pages. 53 illustrations. Index.
                                                
​Frances Rolleston took fifty years to produce Mazzaroth: The Constellations; Jane has taken fourteen years to produce this biography. In both cases completion was delayed due to intervening interests, including writing other books. Frances Rolleston included two trips to England. ​
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Click HERE to read the Introduction.

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What makes Frances Rolleston interesting?
  • From an ancient, landed family
  • Worked with Wilberforce to abolish slavery in England
  • Pioneer of infant schools at age 40+
  • Astronomy enthusiast
  • Student of geology and medicine
  • Linguist of ancient and modern languages
  • ​Published poet
  • Artist in watercolor and oil
  • Beautiful but unmarried
  • Generous to a fault
  • Enthusiastic Christian
  • Competent in Bible
  • Acquaintance and friend of scientists and literary men
  • Writer of Mazzaroth: The Constellations

Common-place Book Entries
about 1805, age 24

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I begin to hope the time is come when I no longer am led on by my feelings through oceans of nonsense my judgment disapproves. Heaven defend me from an old age of novels.

M. Pompadour, asking Wilkes how far a man might go (in England) in abuse of the King,—"I do not know," said he, "but I am trying."

I employed part of the morning in turning Addison into French and then English, and Young into plain prose. I must persevere in this exercise, for I find myself of late very deficient in expression, seldom finding words even on paper for the idea in my mind.

I do not think taste the infallible guide it pretends to be, at least I am sure mine is not. If every passion has its reason, every prejudice has its taste. An analyzing and discriminating judgment should be exercised to correct the wanderings of taste. Without taste you cannot be a competent critic, neither will taste alone make you one.

Henry Ford, son of Dr. Ford, Arabic Professor at Oxford, received a hurt at Westminster which terminated in his death. No one could ever prevail on him to declare the name of the boy who struck the unlucky blow, saying, he would never be happy again if he were to hear of it. "O what a noble mind was here o'erthrown!"

It is remarked of the Pembrokes, a widow of which family founded Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, that for many generations no son saw his father, all dying before the birth of their son.

Biographies of 18th & 19th C. Women

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