Mary Lamb

Born in London in 1764, Mary Lamb was an English writer who is remembered above all for Tales from Shakespeare, the much-loved 1807 collection she created with her brother Charles Lamb. The book retold Shakespeare's plays in clear prose for younger readers, and Mary wrote most of the comedies and histories.

She had little formal schooling and spent part of her early life helping to support her family through needlework. Her adult life was shaped by recurring mental illness and by a family tragedy in 1796, after which Charles remained her devoted companion and collaborator for many years.

Alongside Tales from Shakespeare, Mary Lamb wrote other works for children and shared in the lively literary world that surrounded her brother. Her story is striking not only because of its difficulties, but because her writing helped open the door to Shakespeare for countless new readers.