At the Circulating Library

Author: Margaret Morice Bell

Author: Margaret Morice Bell (1816–1891)

Biography: Margaret Morice Bell was born 27 September 1816 in Edinburgh, the daughter of Scottish law professor George Joseph Bell (1770–1843) and his wife Barbara (née Shaw). Her uncle was the physician Sir Charles Bell. She never married and lived most of her life with relatives. In middle age, she began writing fiction aimed at young adult readers. According to the censuses, she lived in Scotland before moving to the London area in the 1870s. She died on 6 February 1891 in Maida Vale. Note: author identified in the Routledge publication books. Her titles are often erroneously attributed to Mary Letitia Martin even though Bell's fiction postdates Martin's death.

Author Tags:

• Scottish Authors

References: British Census (1851, 1861, 1871, 1881); Northern Whig (12 February 1891); Probate; Scots Magazine (1 November 1816)

Fiction Titles:

1. Eda Morton and her Cousins: or, School-room Days.  1 vol.  London: John Ollivier, 1848.
2. Deeds, not Words: or, The Flemings of Dunaik. A Domestic Tale.  1 vol.  London: Routledge, 1857.
3. The Secret of a Life.  1 vol.  London: Routledge, 1858.
4. Doctor Weld: or, The Web of Life.  2 vol.  London: Frederick Warne, 1866.
5. Seven to Seventeen: or, Veronica Gordon.  1 vol.  London: Frederick Warne, 1873.
6. Seventeen to Twenty-One: or, Aunt Vonica.  1 vol.  London: Frederick Warne, 1876.
7. The Admiral's Will: A Tale with a Purpose.  1 vol.  London: Frederick Warne, 1878.