C. J. Hamilton

Catherine Jane Hamilton (18411935) was an author and journalist who also wrote under the pen name, Retlaw Spring.

Life She was born to a family with Irish roots in Somerset, second daughter of Richard Hamilton (1805/6–1859), vicar of Kilmersdon, and his wife, Charlotte, née Cooper (1809–1882). She was baptised on 12 April 1841. As a child Hamilton was raised at the old vicarage but suffered a bout of typhoid fever and was extremely ill. Her father moved the family to a better house when she was eleven as a result. She was educated at home with her sister by governesses and learned French, Latin and Greek due to her father's influence. She taught in the local Sunday school and helped her father as he lost both his hearing and sight. His death in 1859 left the family unable to survive and they had to rely on relatives for support. They moved to Ballickmoyler, Queen’s County, Ireland where her mother's family had a home. Hamilton lived in Ireland for many years. Her sister married a widower, Wrigley Grimshaw, in 1875. Hamilton was living with her for the census in 1901.

Career Hamilton published over twenty-five books including drama, poetry and fiction. Initially, she wrote under the pen name but after 1880, she started signing her work as C. J. Hamilton. Hamilton wrote religious fiction for children as well as shorter tales in illustrated journals aimed at children. She also wrote fiction for a wide number of journals such as Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine and Young Englishwoman, Dublin University Magazine, The Graphic, St. Paul's Magazine, The National Review and London Society.

Hamilton wrote a series on notable women writers, actors and intellectuals which was eventually produced in volumes for publication. She was employed by the Weekly Irish Times from 1906 and Pall Mall Gazette from 1913. She was a member of the Women Writers' Club and the Institute of Journalists. By 1906, Hamilton had returned to London where she remained for about ten years. She then moved to Devon and Bury St Edmunds. She died 28 February 1935, in Freckenham.

Selected works Notable Irishwomen, (1904) Women writers:their works and ways, (1892) Famous love matches Marriage Bonds, (1878) Hedged with Thorns: or, Working, Waiting and Winning. London: Ward, Lock, 1875 Marriage Bonds: or, Christian Hazell's Married Life. London: Ward, Lock, 1879 The Flynns of Flynnville. London: Ward, Lock, 1880 Mr. Bartram's Daughter: An Every-Day Story. Derby: Bemrose and Sons, 1882 True to the Core: A Romance of '98. 2 vol. London: F. V. White, 1883 Rivals at School: or, A Lesson for Life. London: Sunday School Union, 1888 Dr. Belton's Daughters. London: Ward, Lock, 1890 The Battle of the Waves: or, The Herring Boat. London: R.T.S., 1890 The Merry-go-Round. London: R.T.S., 1894 From Hand to Hand: or, The Adventures of a Jubilee Sixpence. London: Partridge, 1895 The Strange Adventures of Willie Norman. London: R.T.S., 1898 A Flash of Youth. London: Sands, 1900 Frank and Flo on their Travels. London: R.T.S., 1901 The Macsorley Talisman, The Graphic Christmas 1876 Two drawing room plays, Defeated: A Tale [Beeton's Christmas Annual] by Hannah Lynch (London: London : Ward, Lock & Co. 1885])