author
F. M. (Frances Mary) Owen
1842–1883
A Victorian writer whose work moved between literary criticism, poetry, fiction, and popular biography, Frances Mary Owen brought a thoughtful, humane voice to subjects ranging from John Keats to George Washington. Her writing is also remembered alongside her strong Christian commitment and work on behalf of vulnerable girls in Cheltenham.
1 Audiobook
The boy-artist : a tale for the young
by F. M. (Frances Mary) Owen
About the author
Frances Mary Owen (1842–1883) was an Irish-born Victorian author who lived in Cheltenham after marrying the Rev. James Albert Owen. She was born at Glanmore Castle in County Wicklow and was remembered as a devoted mother and an active supporter of charitable work, especially efforts to help friendless and vulnerable girls.
Her books included John Keats: A Study (1880), Across the Hills (1883), and Soldier and Patriot: The Story of George Washington. A collection titled Essays and Poems by Frances Mary Owen was published posthumously in 1887, reflecting the range of her literary interests.
Owen died suddenly on June 19, 1883, aged forty-one. In her memory, friends established the Frances Owen Home in Cheltenham, while her hymn “When Thy Soldiers Take Their Swords,” written for the boys in her husband’s boarding house, continued to be associated with her religious and charitable life.