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At the Circulating Library

A Database of Victorian Fiction, 1837–1901

A Database of Victorian Fiction, 1837–1901

Author: Frederick Spencer Bird

Author: Frederick Spencer Bird (1839–1906)

Biography: Frederick Spencer Bird was born in 1839 in Edgbaston, the son of postal official Edward Bird and his wife Anne. Based on the censuses, he worked a number of jobs, including positions in accounting, banking, genealogy, law, and politics. In addition, he served as the British Vice-Consul in Rotterdam from 1882 to 1887. Based on his knowledge of Holland, he wrote a travel book on the country (1874; revised 1882). The first of his two novels is also set in the Netherlands. He married twice, first to Mary Williams Roberts in 1862 and second to Florence Ida Pilkington in 1891. In his last year, Bird moved to Woodridings near Pinner where he died on 17 September 1906.

References: British Census (1851, 1871, 1901); Harrow Observer (21 September 1906); Probate

Fiction Titles:

  1. Harrington: or, The Exiled Royalist. A Tale of the Hague.  1 vol.  London: Samuel Tinsley, 1877.
  2. Stonedell Lodge: A Novel.  3 vol.  London: Samuel Tinsley, 1879.