35 Facts About Honora Sneyd

Honora Sneyd is the subject of a number of Anna Seward's poems, and with her husband developed concepts of childhood education, resulting in a series of books, such as Practical Education, based on her observations of the Edgeworth children.

Honora Sneyd is known for her stand on women's rights through her vigorous rejection of the proposal by Day, in which she outlined her views on equality in marriage.

Honora Sneyd was born the third daughter to Edward Sneyd and Susanna Cook in Bath in 1751.

Honora Sneyd's father was a Major in the Royal Horse Guards, with an appointment at Court as a Gentleman Usher.

Honora Sneyd's father found himself unable to take care of all of his children and various friends and relations then offered to take them in.

Honora Sneyd, who was seven years younger than the thirteen-year-old Anna Seward, moved into the home of family friends, Canon Thomas Seward and his wife Elizabeth and their family at Lichfield, Staffordshire, where they lived in the Bishop's Palace in the Cathedral Close.

Anna Seward describes how she and her younger sister Sarah first met Honora Sneyd, on returning from a walk, in her poem The Anniversary.

At Lichfield Honora Sneyd came under the influence of Canon Seward, who raised her, and his progressive views on female education, which he expressed in his poem The Female Right to Literature.

Honora Sneyd was described as clever and interested in science, From Anna she developed a great love of literature.

Honora Sneyd was an accomplished scholar, attending day school in Lichfield where she became fluent in French, translating Rousseau's Julie for her older foster sister.

Honora Sneyd had a reputation for both intelligence and beauty, as commented on by many, including Anna Seward and Richard Edgeworth.

At seventeen Honora Sneyd was briefly engaged to a Swiss born Derbyshire merchant, John Andre, a relationship that Seward had fostered, and wrote about in her Monody on Major Andre when Andre became a British officer in 1771 and was hanged as a spy by the Americans.

Edgeworth continues that Honora Sneyd had very determined views on the role of women and their rights within marriage.

However, Honora Sneyd's father moved to Lichfield from London in 1771, and reassembled his family of five daughters there.

Richard Edgeworth comments on how Honora Sneyd had affected him;.

Honora Sneyd's person was graceful her features beautiful and their expression such as to heighten the eloquence of every thing she said.

Honora Sneyd continued, describing the unhappiness of his marriage, and how that made him vulnerable to her attributes, which were shared by all the learned gentlemen of his circle.

Honora Sneyd believed that Anna Seward had noticed the effect her friend was having on him, and would regularly place her actions in the best light for his benefit.

The elimination of Day as a suitor for Honora Sneyd's hand placed Edgeworth in a difficult situation and he resolved to end it by moving to Lyons France, to work, in the autumn of 1771.

Honora Sneyd's offer was accepted immediately, and there was no mention of the conventional waiting period before remarrying after widowhood.

Honora Sneyd advised against returning to Ireland but rather, moving closer to Lichfield.

Honora Sneyd was buried in the nearby Weston church where a plaque on the wall bears witness to her life.

Honora Sneyd died within eight years of her marriage to Richard Edgeworth, at almost the same age as her predecessor.

Honora Sneyd's will, drawn up during the last month of her life refers only to "that Woman whom he shall think worthy to call his, for her to wear, so long as they both shall LOVE", referring to a cameo she owned of Richard Edgeworth.

Richard Edgeworth and Honora Sneyd were determined to design a plan for the education of their children.

Honora Sneyd then started recording extensive notes on her observations of the Edgeworth children.

Richard and Maria Edgeworth state that "She [Honora Sneyd] was of opinion that the art of education should be considered as an experimental science", and that the failures of the past were due to "following theory rather than practice".

Richard Edgeworth and Honora Sneyd then set about applying the emerging principles of educational psychology to the actual practice of education.

Honora Sneyd conceived of the title of their work therefore as Practical Education.

Honora Sneyd conceived and executed a register of the reaction of children to new knowledge and experience, given her interest in applying experimental science to the field of child education.

Honora Sneyd observed the questions that children asked, what they did, and how they solved problems.

Honora Sneyd is often listed amongst the members or associates of the Bluestockings, educated upper class literary women who disdained traditional female accomplishments and often formed close female friendships.

Honora Sneyd's name is inextricably entwined with that of Anna Seward in the literature of lesbian relationships and female friendship.

Honora Sneyd entered into marriage with Richard Edgeworth on the understanding that they were equal partners in his work.

Honora Sneyd was the subject of many of Seward's poems, When Sneyd married Edgeworth, she became the subject of Seward's anger, yet the latter continued to write about Sneyd and her affection for her long after her death.