Anastasia Marie Dolby

Anastasia Marie Dolby born Anastasia Marie Dolan (c.1823 – 18 February 1873) was a leading British embroiderer and writer. She was the first teacher at the Royal School of Needlework.

Life Anastasia Dolan was born in 1824 in Westminster.

In 1850, she married who was a printer's son. and his sister, like her, served a twelve-year apprenticeship as an embroiderer. They lived with his parents at first. In 1859 her husband left the family business when they went to live in Marylebone. The society is credited with inspiring other groups to take an interest in church embroidery. These were run by volunteers including the wives of architects.

In 1867, Dolby published her book about church embroidery and in the following year she published another about the history and use of church vestments. Her husband drew many of the illustrations. Reviews recommend the book to women during the winter. The marketing for the books noted that she had been the "embroideress to the Queen". She had worked on presents that were given to the Queen but it does not appear that she ever enjoyed a Royal appointment.

Dolby died in the following year from breast cancer and she was survived by her husband.