Sinclair, Catherine (1780–1864)

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Sinclair, Catherine (1780–1864)

Scottish novelist and children's writer. Born April 17, 1780, in Edinburgh, Scotland; died Aug 6, 1864, in London, England; 4th dau. of Sir John Sinclair (politician and agriculturist) and Diana (Macdonald) Sinclair; aunt of Lucy Walford (1845–1915); never married; no children.

Prolific and popular writer whose early children's book Holiday House: A Series of Tales (1839) marked a turning point in the history of children's literature, served as her father's secretary (1814–35); wrote several guidebooks, including Shetland and the Shetlanders and Scotland and the Scotch (both 1840), which are steeped in the history and folklore of the regions; following father's death, produced 2 lengthy but well-received novels, Modern Accomplishments, or the March of the Intellect (1836) and its conclusion, Modern Society: or, The March of Intellect (1837); a devout Protestant, strongly anti-Catholic, used her writing to expose "papists" in Popish Legends or Bible Truths (1852), Modern Superstition (1857), and the scathing Beatrice (1852); also wrote a number of religious tracts; her final and most popular projects were her Letters (1861–64) for children.

See also Women in World History.

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