author
Mrs. (Martha) Blackford
1775–1846
Writing under the name Mrs. Blackford, this Scottish author created moral and historical tales for young readers, often drawing on Scottish landscapes and local life. Her best-known work, "The Eskdale Herd-Boy," helped make her a recognizable name in early 19th-century children’s literature.
1 Audiobook
The Eskdale Herd-boy A Scottish Tale for the Instruction and Amusement of Young People
by Mrs. (Martha) Blackford
About the author
Born Isabella Moncrieff in Scotland in 1774, she later wrote under the pseudonym Martha Blackford, or Mrs. Blackford. Reliable library and reference sources identify her as a Scottish writer of children’s books and note that she was also known as Lady Isabella Moncrieff.
Her fiction was written for young readers and is remembered for its strong moral purpose. Sources describe her books as stories set in the Scottish countryside, sometimes against a historical background, with The Eskdale Herd-Boy among her best-known titles.
She was the daughter of the clergyman Henry Moncrieff-Wellwood, and she married Sir John Stoddart in 1803. She died in 1846, leaving behind a body of work that reflects the didactic and deeply regional character of early 19th-century Scottish children’s writing.