Clark, Kate Emma (1847–1926)

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Clark, Kate Emma (1847–1926)

New Zealand society leader, artist, writer, and patron of the arts. Name variations: Kate Emma Woolnough. Born Kate Emma Woolnough, May 15, 1847, in Ipswich, Suffolk, England; died Nov 3, 1926, at Auckland, New Zealand; dau. of Henry Woolnough (architect) and Susan (Bonner) Woolnough; m. James McCosh Clark (businessman and mayor), 1875 (died 1898); children: 5.

Worked as researcher for writers before marriage; became society leader of Auckland and was active in numerous charitable organizations; was also painter and patron of music and art; returned to England following husband's several business failures; pursued career as writer and published A Southern Cross Fairy Tale (1891), Persephone and Other Poems (1894), and Maori Tales and Legends (1896); also contributed articles and short stories to newspapers and magazines.

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 2).

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