author
Mrs. Henry S. Mackarness
1826–1881
A prolific Victorian writer, she published novels, moral tales, and children's books that aimed to entertain while gently teaching manners and character. Writing under the name Mrs. Henry S. Mackarness, she was part of a literary family and drew early inspiration from Charles Dickens.
1 Audiobook
Etiquette for Little Folks
by Mrs. Henry S. Mackarness
About the author
Born Matilda Anne Planché in 1825, she was the younger daughter of playwright and antiquary James Robinson Planché. From an early age she showed a gift for writing and music, and she began publishing while still young. After marrying Henry S. Mackarness in 1849, she often published under the name Mrs. Henry S. Mackarness.
Her first book, Old Joliffe, appeared in 1845 as a playful satire of Dickens's The Chimes. She went on to write many novels and stories, along with moral tales and books for children, including Only, The Cloud with the Silver Lining, and Etiquette for Little Folks. Her work was known for its readable style and its interest in everyday behavior, family life, and moral choice.
She died in 1881. Today she is remembered as a versatile 19th-century author whose fiction and children's writing offer a lively glimpse of Victorian values and domestic life.