Anne Cobbett

Anne Cobbett (11 July 1795 – 22 October 1877) was an American-born British writer, known particularly for The English Housekeeper: The Manual of Domestic Management, and a publisher.

Early life and education Anne Cobbett was born to William and Anne Cobbett (née Reid) on 11 July 1795, in Philadelphia. She was the eldest surviving child in the family. From 1805, Cobbett lived at Botley with her family, initially at Botley House and then Botley Hill.

From 1810 to 1812, Cobbett stayed with her father at Newgate Prison where she lived with her father, who was imprisoned for treasonous libel. There, she learned French and dancing, took dictation for her father's publication, The Register, Her obituary reported that she was 'the custodian of his papers and his chief aid as amanuensis. A large part of Cobbett's most stirring matter went to the press in Miss Cobbett's handwriting.' Around this time, the family were struggling financially, and Cobbett remembered that she, her brother John and her father often ate mainly cauliflowers or salad.

Cobbett headed the family publishing business for years after her father's death in 1835. She published works from 137 Strand.

Cobbett continued her father's political legacy, publishing an abridged version of her father's political works in weekly editions, and advertising in the Chartist press.

Cobbett published The English Housekeeper: The Manual of Domestic Management. Likely first published in the mid to late 1830s, the book was very successful, going into many editions, and being praised for its practical advice, recipes and index. Cobbett's recipes were widely used, reaching America and the South Carolinian household of Emily Wharton Sinkler. Her book included recipes for cleaning products as well as foods such as bubble and squeak and advice on gardening.

She also published French Verbs and Exercises by her sister, Susan.

Death and legacy Cobbett died aged 82 at Brompton Crescent on 22 October 1877 and was buried in Farnham, where her parents were buried.

Cobbett wrote an Account of the Family, published by the William Cobbett Society in 1999.