Author: Annie Elizabeth Ward
Author: Annie Elizabeth Ward (1837–1918)
Alternate Name(s): A. E. W. (familiar name); BTAO "Soldier Harold" (family name)
Biography: Annie Elizabeth Ward was born on 18 December 1837 in Sculcoates, the daughter of clergyman Edward Ward and his wife Ann. Shortly after her birth, her father became the vicar of Blacktoft and she would live the rest of her life in the area. She never married. In the 1860s, she turned to fiction writing serials for religious magazines such as Sunshine under her initials "A. E. W." or more commonly "By the Author of Soldier Harold" (the title of an early serial). She proved quite popular since several of her titles continue to be reprinted into the twentieth century. According to the census, she moved to Hull in the 1890s where she lived with her sister. She died on 1 May 1918 in Hull. Apparently she kept her authorship secret: according to her obituary, "Her identity was never disclosed to the generation which knew her works." Note: Ward is often erroneously conflated with author Hannah Meynell Whittemore ("Netta Leigh").
References: British Census (1851, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911); Probate; Yorkshire Post (7 May 1918)
Fiction Titles:
- Blanche Cleveland: or, The Rain and Sunshine of Youth. 1 vol. London: James Hogg, 1861.
- Newlyn House: The Home of the Davenports. 1 vol. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter, and Co., 1866.
- Emily Milman: The Little Sunbeam of the Farmhouse. 1 vol. London: Book Society, 1870.
- Ethel Linton: or, The Feversham Temper. 1 vol. Edinburgh: Johnstone, Hunter, and Co., 1870.
- Arthur's Victory. 1 vol. London: Sunday School Union, 1873.
- Lyle Harcourt. 1 vol. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1886.
- The Somervilles. 1 vol. London: G. Stoneman, 1892.
- A Girl Governess: or, Ella Dalton's Success. 1 vol. London: Sunday School Union, 1893.