15 Facts About Amelia Opie

Amelia Opie's mother brought her up to care for those who came from less privileged backgrounds.

Amelia Opie was a cousin of the judge Sir Edward Hall Alderson, with whom she corresponded throughout her life, and was a cousin of the artist Henry Perronet Briggs.

Amelia Opie was close to activists John Philip Kemble, Sarah Siddons, William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft.

Amelia Opie spent her youth writing poetry and plays and organizing amateur theatricals.

In 1825, Amelia Opie joined the Society of Friends, due to the influence of Joseph John Gurney and his sisters, who were long-time friends and neighbours in Norwich, and despite the objections made by her recently deceased father.

Amelia Opie had long known the Gurneys of Earlham Hall, Norfolk.

Amelia Opie had been a friend of the Gurney sisters for many years.

In 1809, Amelia Opie published a biography on her husband John which accompanied the lectures he had given at the Royal Academy of Arts prior to his death in 1807.

Amelia Opie's subscribers included Prince William Frederick and members of the Taylor, Gurney and Martineau families, all of whom were connected to Norwich, as was Amelia.

The rest of Amelia Opie's life was spent mostly in travel and working with charities.

Amelia Opie worked with Anna Gurney to create a Ladies Anti-Slavery Society in Norwich.

Amelia Opie went to the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London in 1840 where she was one of the few women included in the commemorative painting.

Amelia Opie had met Opie at a parties and balls in London and in Norfolk including at Holkham Hall where he had come to carry out some commissions for Thomas Coke.

Amelia Opie was a friend of writers Walter Scott, Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Germaine de Stael.

Amelia Opie was buried at the Gildencroft Quaker Cemetery, Norwich.