Meynell, Alice (1847–1922)
Meynell, Alice (1847–1922)
English poet and essayist. Born Alice Christiana Gertrude Thompson at Barnes, Surrey, England, Sept 22, 1847 (some sources cite Aug 17); died Nov 27, 1922; 2nd dau. of Thomas and Christiana Weller Thompson (concert pianist); younger sister of Elizabeth Thompson Butler (artist); m. Wilfred Meynell (journalist), 1877; children: 8, including Francis, Everard, and Viola Meynell (1886–1956).
One of England's most thoughtful poets and insightful essayists, published 1st book of poems, Preludes (1875), with illustrations by her sister; with husband, edited and wrote for The Pen (1880), The Weekly Register (1881–98), and their monthly Merry England (1883–95); published 1st book of essays, The Rhythm of Life (1893); began writing weekly articles for Pall Mall Gazette (1894), some of which were collected as The Color of Life (1896); wrote for The Spectator, Saturday Review, The Magazine of Art, and The Art Journal, among others; though not a militant, was an active supporter of the women's suffrage movement.
See also Women in World History.