author

Mary Rowles Jarvis

A British poet and hymn writer whose work moved between quiet devotion and lively storytelling, she published both religious verse and fiction for younger readers. Her writing appeared in periodicals and later in books that show a gentle, thoughtful Victorian voice.

1 Audiobook

Dick Lionheart

Dick Lionheart

by Mary Rowles Jarvis

About the author

Born Mary Rowles in 1853, she became known as Mary Rowles Jarvis after marrying the Rev. George Jarvis in 1888. Reference sources describe her as the daughter of Samuel Rowles of Saul, Gloucestershire, and note that her husband served as a Congregational minister at Stonehouse and later at Coleford.

She contributed devotional poetry to The Sunday at Home and other periodicals, and that work was gathered in Sunshine and Calm: Songs by the Way around 1895. She is also remembered as a hymn writer, with pieces such as "O God of ages, in whose light" and "Let not your heart be troubled," showing her gift for clear, comforting language.

Her writing was not limited to hymns and religious verse. Catalog records and digital libraries also connect her with books including Dick Lionheart, The Sliding Panel; or, The Miser of Raynham Farm, and The Tree Book, suggesting a range that included fiction and work for younger readers. Some library sources list her life as 1853–1929.