Baughan, Blanche Edith (1870–1958)
Baughan, Blanche Edith (1870–1958)
New Zealand poet, writer, penal reformer. Born Jan 16, 1870, in Surrey, England; died Aug 20, 1958, at Akaroa, New Zealand; dau. of John Baughan (scrivener) and Ruth (Catterns) Baughan; Royal Holloway College, University of London, BA, 1891, with 1st-class honors.
One of the 1st women to attend Royal Holloway College, performed social work in East London slums following graduation (1893–98); traveled to New Zealand (1900); wrote stylistic and modernist poetry (1893–1910), until illness affected her creativity; was active in prison reform and became official visitor at Addington Reformatory for Women in Christchurch (1920s); an outspoken opponent of capital punishment, published controversial study of prisoners, People in Prison (1930s); published poetry includes: Reuben and Other Poems (1903), Shingleshort and Other Verses (1908), and Poems from the Port Hills (1923); prose sketches include: Brown Bread from a Colonial Oven (1912), and Studies in New Zealand Scenery (1916); also contributed to London Spectator from 1902. Received King George V Jubilee Medal for work in social reform (1935).
See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).