Edith Anna Somerville
Encyclopedia
Edith Anna Œnone Somerville (2 May 1858 – 8 October 1949) was an Irish
novelist who habitually signed herself as "E. Œ. Somerville". She wrote in collaboration with her cousin "Martin Ross" (Violet Martin
) under the pseudonym "Somerville and Ross
". Together they published a series of fourteen stories and novels, the most popular of which were The Real Charlotte, and The Experiences of an Irish R. M., published in 1899.
, where her father was stationed, the eldest of eight children. A year later he retired to Drishane, Castletownsend
, County Cork
, where Somerville grew up. She received her primary education at home, and then at Alexandra College
in Dublin. She later studied art in Paris
in 1884 and at the Royal Westminster School of Art in London
. At home riding and painting were her absorbing interests.
In 1887 she met her cousin Violet Martin, and thus began their literary partnership. Their first book, An Irish Cousin, appeared in 1889. By the time Violet died in 1915 they had published fourteen books together.
Martin's death stunned Somerville. She was in London the following year, still recovering from the shock, when the 1916 Insurrection
broke out. On 9 May she wrote a letter to the Times
, blaming the British Government for the state of affairs in Ireland. She tended towards Nationalism afterwards
, and, an adept musician, at parties specialized in Irish tunes and Nationalist songs.
Following Martin's death in 1915, Somerville continued to write as "Somerville and Ross", claiming that they kept in contact through spiritualist séances.
She had exhibitions of her pictures in Dublin and in London between 1920 and 1938; and was active as an illustrator of children's picture books and sporting picture books. Somerville was a devoted sportswoman who, in 1903 became master of the West Carbery
Foxhounds. She was also active in the suffragist
movement, corresponding with Dame Ethel Smyth
.
She died at age 91 in Castletownshend
, County Cork
.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
novelist who habitually signed herself as "E. Œ. Somerville". She wrote in collaboration with her cousin "Martin Ross" (Violet Martin
Violet Florence Martin
Violet Florence Martin was an Irish author who co-wrote a series of novels with cousin Edith Somerville under the pen name of Martin Ross in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.- Early life :...
) under the pseudonym "Somerville and Ross
Somerville and Ross
Somerville and Ross were an Anglo-Irish writing team, perhaps most famous for their series of books that were made into the TV series The Irish R.M.....
". Together they published a series of fourteen stories and novels, the most popular of which were The Real Charlotte, and The Experiences of an Irish R. M., published in 1899.
Life
Somerville was born on CorfuCorfu
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
, where her father was stationed, the eldest of eight children. A year later he retired to Drishane, Castletownsend
Castletownshend
Castletownshend on Ireland's southwest coast, is a village about eight km from Skibbereen, in County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. The village developed around a small 17th century castle built by Richard Townsend, whose descendents still reside there...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, where Somerville grew up. She received her primary education at home, and then at Alexandra College
Alexandra College
Alexandra College is a private, single-sex school located in Milltown, Dublin, Ireland. It serves girls from ages 4 to 19 as boarding or day pupils. The school is one of the most prestigious in Ireland and ranks highly in Leaving Certificate results tables...
in Dublin. She later studied art in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1884 and at the Royal Westminster School of Art in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. At home riding and painting were her absorbing interests.
In 1887 she met her cousin Violet Martin, and thus began their literary partnership. Their first book, An Irish Cousin, appeared in 1889. By the time Violet died in 1915 they had published fourteen books together.
Martin's death stunned Somerville. She was in London the following year, still recovering from the shock, when the 1916 Insurrection
Easter Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
broke out. On 9 May she wrote a letter to the Times
Times
The Times is a UK daily newspaper, the original English language newspaper titled "Times". Times may also refer to:In newspapers:*The Times , went defunct in 2005*The Times *The Times of Northwest Indiana...
, blaming the British Government for the state of affairs in Ireland. She tended towards Nationalism afterwards
Irish nationalism
Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...
, and, an adept musician, at parties specialized in Irish tunes and Nationalist songs.
Following Martin's death in 1915, Somerville continued to write as "Somerville and Ross", claiming that they kept in contact through spiritualist séances.
She had exhibitions of her pictures in Dublin and in London between 1920 and 1938; and was active as an illustrator of children's picture books and sporting picture books. Somerville was a devoted sportswoman who, in 1903 became master of the West Carbery
Carbery West
Carbery West ]) is a barony in County Cork in Ireland. It has been split since the nineteenth century into East and West Divisions .- Legal context :...
Foxhounds. She was also active in the suffragist
Suffrage
Suffrage, political franchise, or simply the franchise, distinct from mere voting rights, is the civil right to vote gained through the democratic process...
movement, corresponding with Dame Ethel Smyth
Ethel Smyth
Dame Ethel Mary Smyth, DBE was an English composer and a leader of the women's suffrage movement.- Early career :...
.
She died at age 91 in Castletownshend
Castletownshend
Castletownshend on Ireland's southwest coast, is a village about eight km from Skibbereen, in County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. The village developed around a small 17th century castle built by Richard Townsend, whose descendents still reside there...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Collaborative novels
- An Irish Cousin (1889)
- Naboth's Vineyard (1891)
- In the Vine Country (1893)
- Through Connemara in a Governess Cart (1893)
- The Real Charlotte (1894)
- Beggars on Horseback (1895)
- The Silver Fox (1897)
- Some Experiences of an Irish R. M. (1899)
- A Patrick's Day Hunt (1902)
- All on the Irish Shore (1903)
- Some Irish Yesterdays (1906)
- Further Experiences of an Irish R.M. (1908)
- Dan Russell the Fox (1911)
- In Mr Knox's Country (1915)
Solo novels
- Irish Memories (1917)
- Mount Music (1919)
- The Big House at Inver (1925)
- The States through Irish Eyes (1930)
- An Incorruptible Irishman (1932)
- The Smile and the Tear (1933)
- The Sweet Cry of Hounds (1936)
- The Death of the Heart (1938)
- Sarah's Youth (1938)
- The Heat of the Day (1949)
- Maria and Some Other Dogs (1949)