Charlotte Yonge is one of the most influential and important of Victorian women writers; but study of her work has been handicapped by a tendency to patronise both her and her writing, by the vast number of her publications and by a shortage of information about her professional career. Scholars have had to depend mainly on the work of her first biographer, a loyal disciple, a situation which has long been felt to be unsatisfactory. We hope that this edition of her correspondence will provide for the first time a substantial foundation of facts for the study of her fiction, her historical and educational writing and her journalism, and help to illuminate her biography and also her significance in the cultural and religious history of the Victorian age.


Featured Letters...

Elderfield
Aug 21 [1899]
My dear C C F M P went on Saturday to various visits, before she goes, like an enterprising wandering woman to India. This is the upshot of our talks. She says I know nothing of the modern young woman, or what she likes or despises as old and goody, and she is in favour of a Phoenix, but not with the old name- and though she would have the substance of the China Cupboard &c ... continue reading
Elderfield
Oct 24th 1895

My dear Miss Wordsworth I had just got a fresh railway book and studied possibilities, and I find that I had better come by the train that gets in at 4.25 so that I shall be with you by tea time. I propose to go home on Wednesday at 3.15 so as to be able to go to the Cathedral and see my pupil teacher

Yours very sincerely C M Yonge

... continue reading

Dear Miss Yonge I will see whether we can find some one who would do a few vigorous outlines for the little Duke. Something like those to Kingsleys Heroes. Reproductions of foreign books are not generally successful.

We send the Daisy Chain to press today

I am very glad indeed that you take to our idea. It would do admirable [sic] for a Christmas book. I think you have quite caught the idea I had & I think ... continue reading

My dear Maggie I wish you many happy returns of the day, and I wish I was sending you a Daisy Chain with it, but I did not write a letter in time to get it from London, so I am afraid you must wait for it till the next day, but it will be something to look forward to then, and I will write your name in it, if you like on Friday evening

your affectionate ... continue reading