19 Facts About Constance Naden

Constance Caroline Woodhill Naden was an English writer, poet and philosopher.

Constance Naden studied, wrote and lectured on philosophy and science, alongside publishing two volumes of poetry.

Constance Naden was born on 24 January 1858 at 15 Francis Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, England to Caroline Ann Woodhill Naden who died within two weeks of giving birth, and Thomas Naden, an architect, later president of the Birmingham Architectural Association.

Constance Naden was brought up by her mother's parents, Caroline and Josiah Woodhill, from 12 days old until her grandparents' deaths.

Constance Naden's father lived with the Woodhills for a time, but by 1871 the census shows that he was living nearby with a new wife and Naden's four half-siblings aged between three and seven.

At age eight Constance Naden was sent to a local Unitarian day school, where she developed a talent for painting.

Constance Naden submitted some paintings to the Birmingham Society of Artists, one of which was accepted for display at the Society's Spring Exhibition in 1878.

Constance Naden became interested in philosophy, languages and the sciences.

In 1879, Constance Naden attended the Birmingham and Midland Institute to study botany and French, and from 1881 to 1887 attended Mason Science College to study physics, geology, chemistry, physiology, and zoology; she became a member of the Birmingham Natural History Society.

Constance Naden published a number of essays defending this view, in the Journal of Science, Knowledge, The Agnostic Annual and other periodicals.

Constance Naden was interested in Herbert Spencer's concept of a unifying philosophy explaining the universe through the principles of evolution.

In 1881, Constance Naden published her first volume of poetry Songs and Sonnets of Springtime.

Constance Naden returned to England in June 1888 and bought a house on Park Street, Grosvenor Square, which she shared with Daniell.

Constance Naden raised funding to allow Indian women to study medicine and became a member of the National Indian Association.

Constance Naden joined the Aristotelian Society, endeavoured to form a Spencer society, and belonged to various societies of benevolent aims.

Constance Naden spoke about the need for women's suffrage at public events, as recorded by reports in the Women's Penny Paper.

Constance Naden had a penetrating voice, and was thoroughly self-possessed in public speaking.

Constance Naden was buried in the nonconformist Key Hill Cemetery, Birmingham.

Constance Naden's poetry has received increasing attention since the 1980s, as people sought to recover lost women's voices.