Cecilia Caddell

Cecilia Mary Caddell (1814 – 11 September 1877) was an Irish author who wrote popular Catholic inspirational literature, novels, hymns, and biographies.

Early life Caddell was born in Harbourstown, the daughter of Richard O'Ferrall Caddell and Paulina Southwell Caddell. Her mother was the daughter of Thomas Arthur, the second Viscount Southwell of Limerick.

Literary career Caddell's works were concentrated in Catholic literature. She was a contributor to Catholic periodicals such as The Lamp and The Irish Monthly Magazine. Her most popular work is Blind Agnese, or, Little spouse of the blessed sacrament (1856), which was translated into Italian, French, and republished multiple times.

Personal life Caddell is commonly described as a "lifelong invalid" and suffered from a lifelong chronic illness. Despite this, Caddell likely travelled abroad, having described visits to Lourdes and Aix in her work. She died in Harbourstown, County Meath, in 1877, in her sixties, and her funeral was attended by Edward Preston, 13th Viscount Gormanston and her older sister Sophia's husband, Royal Navy Admiral Arthur Jerningham.

Works

A Pearl in Dark Waters. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne. n.d. Father de Lisle, A Story of Tyborne. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne. n.d. Blanche Leslie. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne. n.d. Minister’s Daughter. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne n.d.. Little Snowdrop. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne. n.d. Tales for the Young. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne. n.d.

Lost Genevieve. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne. 1856

"Seymour's Curse, or the Last Mass of Owlesbury" (1857, The Home and Foreign Review)

"The Festival of the Banners at Lourdes, in 1872" (1874, The Irish Monthly) "Early Days of Madame Barat" (1876, The Irish Monthly) "Aix and the Falls of Grezy" (1876, The Irish Monthly)