Edith Searle Grossmann

Edith Howitt Searle Grossmann (née Searle, 8 September 1863 – 27 February 1931) was a New Zealand teacher, novelist, journalist and feminist.

Early life Grossmann was born in Beechworth, Victoria, Australia on 8 September 1863, to Mary Ann Beeby and George Smales Searle. She was the fourth of their five children. Grossmann's parents were acquaintances of the parents of Alfred William Howitt, an explorer who rescued the sole survivor of Robert O'Hara Burke's ill-fated expedition of 1861. As Grossmann was born almost exactly two years after this rescue, they gave their daughter the middle name "Howitt".

Her father was initially a wine merchant in Australia, before becoming a newspaper editor.

Grossmann studied at Canterbury College from 1880 to 1885, during which time she received a number of prizes and honours, and was also an active participant in student life. She had received a junior scholarship to enter the College, and in 1882 also received a senior scholarship. In 1881, she won second prize in the Bowen Essay Competition, and in 1882, the first prize. Grossmann was also a member of the university debating society and participated in debates on contemporary issues such as the Married Women's Property Bill of 1884, and the higher education of women.

Career After her graduation, Grossmann taught at Wellington Girls' College until 1890, initially as assistant mistress, then later as second assistant.

From 1903 to 1912 she lived in London and was a freelance writer there, often writing on issues related to New Zealand.

Personal life In 1890, Grossmann married Joseph Penfound Grossmann, a master at Wellington Boys' High School, who had been a fellow student of hers at Canterbury College.

Legacy In 1999, the Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors laid a trail of 32 plaques around Christchurch commemorating notable writers of the city, including Edith Grossmann.