Laurence Alma-Tadema

Born Laurense Tadema in Brussels in August 1865, she was the eldest daughter of the painter Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. She later became known as Laurence Alma-Tadema and built a literary career in Britain as a poet, novelist, playwright, and short-story writer.

Her work ranged widely, from poetry collections to fiction and writing for children, and readers still return to her for the lively charm and emotional directness of poems like "If No One Ever Marries Me." Sources consulted during this search also describe her as the author of several poetry collections, including Songs of Womanhood and The Divine Orbit.

She died in London on March 12, 1940. Though she is less famous now than some of her artistic family, her writing reflects a broad, energetic talent and a voice that could be playful, thoughtful, and quietly memorable.