Jean Ingelow

Born in Boston, Lincolnshire, on March 17, 1820, Jean Ingelow grew up in a large family and later lived in Ipswich and London. She began publishing early, sometimes under the pseudonym "Orris," and built a reputation as a writer of poems, stories, and novels.

Her breakthrough came in 1863 with a volume of poems that made her suddenly famous. Among her best-known works is The High Tide on the Coast of Lincolnshire, 1571, admired for its emotional force and memorable sense of place. She also wrote popular books for younger readers, including Mopsa the Fairy.

Though less widely read today than in the 19th century, Ingelow was an important literary presence in Victorian Britain. Her writing is approachable and musical, and it still appeals to readers who enjoy poetry that tells a story as well as fiction with a touch of wonder.