Katharine Macquoid

Katharine Sarah Macquoid (, Thomas; 26 January 1824 - June 1917) was a British novelist and travel writer, who published over 65 works. In addition to writing books, many of Macquoid's stories were published in magazines, the first story appearing in a publication called Welcome Guest, in 1859. Her first novel, A Bad Beginning: a story of a French marriage, was successful. Probably her best story was Patty (1871).

Early life and education Katherine Sarah Thomas was born in Kentish Town, London, England, 26 January 1824. She was the third daughter of Thomas Thomas, a London merchant, and Phoebe Gadsden. She probably inherited her literary bent from her mother, who was a lover of books.

In 1862, Macquoid's first novel was published, A Bad Beginning: a story of a French marriage. It was successful, and was followed by between 50 and 60 stories. Probably her best story was Patty (1871), which brought appreciative letters from John Morley and Sir Arthur Helps. The heroine was decidedly more naughty than mid-Victorian heroines were wont to be, and the book had deservedly a great vogue, firmly establishing the author's position. Macquoid also made her mark as the writer of travel books, such as Through Normandy, Through Brittany, In the Ardennes, Pictures in Umbria, and In the Volcanic Eifel, which were illustrated by her husband. She enjoyed reading, gardening, and foreign travel. Macquoid died at Tooting Commons, June 1917, aged 93.

Selected works

Piccalilli, 1862 A Bad Beginning, 1862 Chesterford, 1863 Hester Kirton, 1864 By the Sea, 1865 Elinor Dryden, 1867 Charlotte Burney, 1867 Wild as a Hawk (Marjorie), 1868 Forgotten by the World, 1869 Rookstone, 1871 Patty, 1871 Miriam's Marriage, 1872 Pictures across the Channel, 1872 Nicole Vagnon, 1873 - (Published in London by "Temple Bar", and reprinted in Boston by "Littell's Living Age" Too Soon, 1873 Through Normandy, 1874 My Story, 1874 The Evil Eye, 1875 Diane, 1875 Lost Rose, 1876 Through Brittany, 1877 Doris Barugh, 1877 Pictures and Legends from Normandy and Brittany, 1878 (with T. R. Macquoid) The Berkshire Lady, 1879 In the Sweet Spring Time, 1880 Beside the River, 1881 Little Fifine, 1881 In the Ardennes, 1881 A Faithful Lover, 1882 Her Sailor Love, 1888 About Yorkshire, 1883 (with T. R. Macquoid) Under the Snow, 1884 Louisa, 1885 A Strange Company; and The Light on the Seine, 1885 At the Red Glove, 1885 A Little Vagabond, 1886 Joan Wentworth, 1886 Sir James Appleby, 1886 Mere Suzanne, 1886 At the Peacock, 1887 Puff, 1888 Elizabeth Morley, 1889 Roger Ferron, 1889 Pepin, 1889 The Old Courtyard, 1890 Cosette, 1890 The Haunted Fountain, 1890 At an old Chateau, 1891 Driftin Apart, 1891 The Prince's Whim, 1891 Maisie Derrick, 1892 Miss Eyon of Eyoncourt, 1892 Berris, 1893 In an Orchard, 1894 Appledore Farm, 1894 His Last Card, 1895 In the Volcanic Eifel, 1896 (with Gilbert S. Macquoid) The Story of Lois, 1898 A Ward of the King, 1898