One of William Darton's advertisements, an early publisher of Hughes. From A Mother's Care Rewarded
One of William Darton's advertisements, an early publisher of Hughes. From A Mother's Care Rewarded
Life of William Penn's book art
Life of William Penn's book art
Book art for one of Hughes' more popular novels, The Ivy Wreath

Mary Hughes (sometimes spelled Hughs), née Mary Robson,[1] was a British children's and Christian literature author.

Biography

She was born in Newcastle, England,[2] and began writing children's books in 1811.[3] Her first works, including Aunt Mary's Tales for the Entertainment and Improvement of Little Girls: Addressed to her Nieces, written in 1811, followed by Aunt Mary's Tales for the Entertainment and Improvement of Little Boys: Addressed to her Nephews in 1813, and The Ornaments Discovered in 1815,[1] were all popular novels in England, so much so that they were also published abroad in the United States unbeknownst to Hughes.[3] She also wrote several pamphlets for the Christian Tract Society, becoming a member for life in 1813.[3]

She married Thomas Hughes, from Dundee, Scotland, in 1817, and the year after, emigrated to Philadelphia.[1] When Mary Hughes arrived, she found that "the popularity of her books preceded her"[3] and "commenced a school for young ladies"[2] with the help of philanthropist John Vaughan Esq.[2]

On the subject of the nameless school, Sarah Josepha Buell Hale, author of Woman's Record, states, "... it is believed few undertakings ever rose more rapidly in popularity, as many of the mothers of the present generation, in the most distinguished families in the city, can testify."[2]

Hughes was also a frequent contributor to the publisher Lindsay and Blakiston. In The Mother's Birthday, a Lindsay and Blakiston publisher advertisement writes, "Mrs. Hughs is well-known as one of our most popular contributors..." and "We are glad to see a lady of Mrs. Hughs' abilities so usefully employed."[4]

An illustration from Something New From Aunt Mary
Book art from Pleasing and Instructive Stories

After 21 years of running the school, in 1839, Mary Hughes and her husband Thomas retired to a farm in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.[2]

List of attributed works

Year Title Notes Ref.
1811 Aunt Mary's Tales for the Entertainment and Improvement of Little Girls: Addressed to her Nieces Links to 2nd edition, 1819 [3]
1813 Aunt Mary's Tales for the Entertainment and Improvement of Little Boys: Addressed to her Nephews Links to 2nd American edition, 1827 [3]
1815 The Ornaments Discovered Links to 2nd edition, 1821 [3]
1818 The Metamorphoses Believed to be 1st edition [5]
1818 The Alchemist [6]
1819 The Orphan Girl Believed to be 1st edition [7]
1820 A Natural History of Quadrupeds in Simple Verse: Designed for Children Believed to be 1st edition [8]
1820 The Twin Brothers Boase cites 1839,[1] yet this edition is earlier [9]
1820 Something New From Aunt Mary [10]
1820 Village Dialogues Printed in vol. 1 of Tracts Designed to Inculcate Moral Conduct on Christian Principles, published by the Christian Tract Society. Boase cites 1839 as well[1] [11]
1820 The Sick Man's Friend Printed in vol. 3 of Tracts Designed to Inculcate Moral Conduct on Christian Principles, published by the Christian Tract Society. [11]
1820 An Affectionate Address to the Poor Printed in vol. 3 of Tracts Designed to Inculcate Moral Conduct on Christian Principles, published by the Christian Tract Society. [11]
1821 The Rebellious Schoolgirl [1]
1822 The Life of William Penn [12]
1824 A Mother's Care Rewarded: in the Correction of Those Defects Most General in Young People, During Their Education Hathitrust.org cites Hughes as the author, though the book makes no reference to her [13]
1829 Emma Mortimer [14]
1830 Pleasing and Instructive Stories Links to an undated edition [1]
1835 The Two Schools [15]
1836 Sickroom Dialogues, 4th Edition [1]
1846 Julia Ormond [16]
1849 The Ivy Wreath Believed to be published in 1849 by Lindsay and Blakiston; original publication date unknown [17]
1849 The Proud Girl Humbled; or, The Two School-mates Published by Lindsay and Blakiston in 1849; original publication date unknown [18]
1849 Holidays in the Country, or, Vanity Disappointed Published by Lindsay and Blakiston in 1849; original publication date unknown [19]
1849 Lissie Linden and Her Mockingbird Published by Lindsay and Blakiston in 1849; original publication date unknown [20]
1849 Generosity, or, the Story of Sybella and Florence Believed to be published in 1849 by Lindsay and Blakiston; original publication date unknown [21]
1849 The Mother's Birthday, or, the Broken Vase Published by Lindsay and Blakiston in 1849; original publication date unknown [4]
1849 The Gipsy Fortune-Teller, or, the Troubadour Published by Lindsay and Blakiston in 1849; original publication date unknown [22]
1849 Frank Worthy, or, the Orphan and His Benefactor Published by Lindsay and Blakiston in 1849; original publication date unknown [23]
1849 May Morning, or, a Visit to the Country Published by Lindsay and Blakiston in 1849; original publication date unknown [24]
1850 The Young Artist, or, Self-Conquest Published by Lindsay and Blakiston in 1850; original publication date unknown [25]
1850 The Young Sailor, or, Perseverance Rewarded Published by Lindsay and Blakiston in 1850; original publication date unknown [26]
? Buds and Blossoms Unknown publication date [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Boase, Frederic. Modern English Biography: Containing Many Thousand Concise Memoirs of Persons Who Have Died between the Years 1851-1900, with an Index of the Most Interesting Matter. Barnes & Noble, 1965.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Hale, Sarah Josepha Buell. Woman's Record; or, Sketches of All Distinguished Women, from the Creation to A.D. 1868. 3rd ed. rev., with additions.. ed., Harper, 1872.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Darton, F. J. Harvey, and Brian. Alderson. Children's Books in England : Five Centuries of Social Life. 3rd edition / revised by Brian Alderson.. ed., New York, Cambridge University Press, 1982.
  4. 1 2 Hughs, Mrs. The Mother's Birthday, Or, The Broken Vase: for Little Boys And Little Girls. Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1849.
  5. ↑ ROBSON, Afterwards HUGHES, Mary. The Metamorphoses; or the Effects of Education a Tale. By the Author of Aunt Mary's Tales, Etc. [M. Robson, Afterwards Hughs]. London, 1818. Print.
  6. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. The Alchemist. [1st ed.] London: Printed for William Darton Jun., 58, Holborn Hill, 1818.
  7. ↑ Hughs, and William Darton. The Orphan Girl : A Moral Tale Founded on Facts. William Darton, Jun, 1819.
  8. ↑ Hughs, and Abraham Small. A Natural History of Quadrupeds in Simple Verse : Designed for Children. Abraham Small, 1820.
  9. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. The Twin Brothers, Or, Good Luck And Good Conduct. Boston: Wells and Lilly, 1820.
  10. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. Something New From Aunt Mary. London: William Darton, 58, Holborn Hill, 1820.
  11. 1 2 3 Hughs, Mrs. (Mary), Christian Tract Society, and Wells and Lilly. Tracts Designed to Inculcate Moral Conduct On Christian Principles.Boston (Court-Street): Wells and Lilly, 1820.
  12. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. The Life of William Penn: Abridged And Adapted to the Use of Young Persons. London: W. Darton, 1822.
  13. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. A Mother's Care Rewarded: In the Correction of Those Defects Most General In Young People, During Their Education.London: William Darton, 1824.
  14. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. Emma Mortimer: a Moral Tale. Philadelphia: T. T. Ash, 1829.
  15. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. The Two Schools: a Moral Tale. Baltimore: Fielding Lucas, 1835.
  16. ↑ Hughs. Julia Ormond, or, the New Settlement. Edward Dunigan, 1846.
  17. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. The Ivy Wreath. Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1849.
  18. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. The Proud Girl Humbled; Or, The Two School-mates: for Little Boys And Girls. Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1849.
  19. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. Holidays In the Country, Or, Vanity Disappointed: for Little Boys And Little Girls. Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakistan, 18.
  20. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. Lissie Linden And Her Mocking-bird: for Little Boys And Little Girls. Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1849.
  21. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. Generosity; Or, Sybella And Florence: for Little Boys And Little Girls. Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1849.
  22. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. The Gipsy Fortune-teller; Or, The Troubadour: for Little Boys And Little Girls. Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1849.
  23. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. Frank Worthy: Or, The Orphan And His Benefactor : for Little Boys And Little Girls. Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1849.
  24. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. May Morning: Or, A Visit to the Country; for Little Boys And Girls. Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1849.
  25. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. The Young Artist: Or, Self-conquest; for Little Boys And Little Girls. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston, 1850.
  26. ↑ Hughs, Mrs. The Young Sailor. Philadelphia: Lindsay and Blakiston, 1850.
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