19 Facts About Amelia Edwards

Amelia Ann Blanford Edwards, known as Amelia B Edwards, was an English novelist, journalist, traveller and Egyptologist.

Amelia Edwards gained the nickname "Godmother of Egyptology" for her contribution.

Amelia Edwards published her first poem at the age of seven and her first story at the age of twelve.

Amelia Edwards wrote for the Saturday Review and the Morning Post.

Amelia Edwards was talented enough at the age of 12 to catch the eye of George Cruikshank, who went so far as to offer to teach her, but this talent of hers was not supported by Edwards's parents, who saw art as a lesser profession and the artist's way of life as scandalous.

Thirdly, Amelia Edwards took up composing and performing music for some years, until she suffered a bout of typhus in 1849 that was followed by a frequently sore throat.

Early in the 1850s, Amelia Edwards began to focus more exclusively on being a writer.

Amelia Edwards spent much time and effort on the settings and backgrounds of her books, estimating that it took her about two years to complete the research and writing of each.

Amelia Edwards wrote several ghost stories, including "The Phantom Coach", which frequently appears in anthologies.

In January 1851, Amelia Edwards became engaged to a Mr Bacon, possibly out of consideration for her ageing parents, who may have been worried for their daughter's future economic security.

Amelia Edwards further maintained important, close friendships with painter Marianne North, her travelling companion Lucy Renshaw and her closest confidante during her later years, Kate Bradbury, who became executrix of Amelia Edwards' will.

Amelia Edwards first heard about the Dolomites in 1853, through sketches brought back to England from Italy.

At the time of Amelia Edwards's visit, the Dolomites were described as terra incognita and even educated persons had never heard of them.

Brocklehurst and Amelia Edwards remained friends and Brocklehurst later supported her Egypt Exploration Fund.

Amelia Edwards wrote a successful, self-illustrated description of her Nile voyage entitled A Thousand Miles up the Nile.

Amelia Edwards set out to hinder these through public awareness and scientific endeavour, becoming an advocate for research and preservation of them.

Amelia Edwards became joint Honorary Secretary of the Fund until her death.

Amelia Edwards was buried in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin, Henbury, Bristol, where her grave is marked by an obelisk with a stone ankh at the foot.

Amelia Edwards supported Somerville College Library, having left many books, papers and watercolours to Somerville College, Oxford, along with a small collection of Greek and Roman pots.