Writer. Mary Cowden Clarke (née Novello) was the daughter of Vincent Novello and Mary Sabilla Novello (née Hehl). Her father, a music publisher, introduced her to many people distinguished in arts and letters including John Varley, Copley Fielding, Charles and Mary Lamb, Leigh Hunt, and John Keats. Clarke developed a passion for literature from Mary Lamb, who taught her poetry. Clarke was educated in France and became a governess upon her return to England. In 1828, she married her brother's business partner, Charles Cowden Clarke, who became a respected writer. Following her marriage, Clarke began writing "The Shakespeare Concordance", which was eventually published in 1845. This was followed by "Shakespeare Proverbs" in 1849. The following year, Clarke wrote "The Girlhood of Shakespeare's Heroines", which was dedicated to many literary figures of the time, including Charles Dickens. In 1856, Mary Cowden Clarke and her husband moved to Italy, where they resided at Villa Novello. Here, Clarke published a revised edition of Shakespeare's works and her father's memoirs. Soon after, Clarke and her husband collaborated on "Recollections of Writers" (1878) and "The Shakespeare Key" (1879). These works were published after her husband's death in 1877. To commemorate the hundredth anniversary of her husband's birth, Clarke wrote a "Centennial Biographic Sketch of Charles Cowden Clarke". Her final work was an autobiography titled "My Long Life", which was published in 1896, two years before her death in 1898.
Writer. Mary Cowden Clarke (née Novello) was the daughter of Vincent Novello and Mary Sabilla Novello (née Hehl). Her father, a music publisher, introduced her to many people distinguished in arts and letters including John Varley, Copley Fielding, Charles and Mary Lamb, Leigh Hunt, and John Keats. Clarke developed a passion for literature from Mary Lamb, who taught her poetry. Clarke was educated in France and became a governess upon her return to England. In 1828, she married her brother's business partner, Charles Cowden Clarke, who became a respected writer. Following her marriage, Clarke began writing "The Shakespeare Concordance", which was eventually published in 1845. This was followed by "Shakespeare Proverbs" in 1849. The following year, Clarke wrote "The Girlhood of Shakespeare's Heroines", which was dedicated to many literary figures of the time, including Charles Dickens. In 1856, Mary Cowden Clarke and her husband moved to Italy, where they resided at Villa Novello. Here, Clarke published a revised edition of Shakespeare's works and her father's memoirs. Soon after, Clarke and her husband collaborated on "Recollections of Writers" (1878) and "The Shakespeare Key" (1879). These works were published after her husband's death in 1877. To commemorate the hundredth anniversary of her husband's birth, Clarke wrote a "Centennial Biographic Sketch of Charles Cowden Clarke". Her final work was an autobiography titled "My Long Life", which was published in 1896, two years before her death in 1898.
Bio by: Elisa Rolle
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See more Cowden Clarke or Novello memorials in:
- Genoa-Voltri Cemetery Cowden Clarke or Novello
- Voltri Cowden Clarke or Novello
- Città Metropolitana di Genova Cowden Clarke or Novello
- Liguria Cowden Clarke or Novello
- Italy Cowden Clarke or Novello
- Find a Grave Cowden Clarke or Novello
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