Maria Elizabeth Budden
Encyclopedia
Maria Elizabeth Budden, was a novelist, translator and writer of didactic
children's books, who frequently signed her work "M. E. B." or "a mother".
Little has come to light about Budden's life. Her most popular work throughout the first half of the nineteenth century was her anonymously published Always Happy!!: Or, Anecdotes of Felix and his Sister Serena. A Tale (1814). Also perennially popular were her True Stories... series of history books for young people (1819 onwards), and her novel Claudine: or Humility the Basis of All of the Virtues. A Swiss Tale (1822). These and other works of hers are available today in a number of print on demand
editions, as they offer scholars interesting source material on the history of education
and upbringing.
Like Elizabeth Thomas
, Budden has been associated tentatively with the pseudonymous "Mrs. Bridget Bluemantle", author of nine novels published by the London Minerva Press
between 1806 and 1818. However, Budden's Claudine... and "Mrs Bluemantle's" Claudine... are different novels.
Didacticism
Didacticism is an artistic philosophy that emphasizes instructional and informative qualities in literature and other types of art. The term has its origin in the Ancient Greek word διδακτικός , "related to education/teaching." Originally, signifying learning in a fascinating and intriguing...
children's books, who frequently signed her work "M. E. B." or "a mother".
Little has come to light about Budden's life. Her most popular work throughout the first half of the nineteenth century was her anonymously published Always Happy!!: Or, Anecdotes of Felix and his Sister Serena. A Tale (1814). Also perennially popular were her True Stories... series of history books for young people (1819 onwards), and her novel Claudine: or Humility the Basis of All of the Virtues. A Swiss Tale (1822). These and other works of hers are available today in a number of print on demand
Print on demand
Print on demand , sometimes called, in error, publish on demand, is a printing technology and business process in which new copies of a book are not printed until an order has been received...
editions, as they offer scholars interesting source material on the history of education
History of education
The history of education its part of the past and present teaching and learning. Each generation, since the beginning of human existence, has sought to pass on cultural and social values, traditions, morality, religion and skills to the next generation. The passing on of culture is also known as...
and upbringing.
Like Elizabeth Thomas
Elizabeth Thomas (Poet/novelist)
Elizabeth Thomas [née Wolferstan] , novelist and poet, is an ambiguous figure. Details of her early life are missing, and her authorship of some works attributed to her is contested....
, Budden has been associated tentatively with the pseudonymous "Mrs. Bridget Bluemantle", author of nine novels published by the London Minerva Press
Minerva Press
Minerva Press was a publishing house, noted for creating a lucrative market in sentimental and Gothic fiction in the late 18th century and early 19th century...
between 1806 and 1818. However, Budden's Claudine... and "Mrs Bluemantle's" Claudine... are different novels.