12 Facts About Florence Dugdale

Florence Emily Dugdale was an English teacher and children's writer, who was the second wife of the novelist and poet Thomas Hardy.

Florence Dugdale was credited as the author of Hardy's posthumously published biography, The Early Life and Later Years of Thomas Hardy, although it was written by Hardy himself in his old age.

Florence Dugdale attended the National Infants School in Enfield for two years until 1886 when she went to St Andrew's Girls School.

From 1895 onward, Florence Dugdale's life was centred on her teaching.

Florence Dugdale began training at St Andrew's Girls School, where she and her sister Ethel received prizes from the Diocesan Board of Education for "Religious Knowledge and a proficiency in secular subjects".

Florence Dugdale was companion to Lady Stoker, wife of Sir Thornley Stoker, brother of Bram, author of Dracula.

Florence Dugdale first met Thomas Hardy in 1905 when she was age 26.

Florence Dugdale became his passionate friend and helper, and stopped teaching in 1908; both to assist Hardy and to begin her writing career.

In 1913, Florence Dugdale moved into Hardy's home Max Gate in Dorchester, Dorset.

The Hardys were friends of T E Lawrence, and Dugdale attended his funeral in 1935.

Florence Dugdale died at Max Gate, the home she had shared with Hardy, of cancer, aged 58.

Florence Dugdale was cremated in Woking Crematorium, and her ashes were buried in Stinsford churchyard, where Hardy's heart and his first wife were interred.