At the Circulating Library

Author: Frances E. Reade

Author: Frances E. Reade (1850–1904)

Biography: Frances Elizabeth Reade was born in 1850 in Henley on Thames, the youngest child of landowner William Barrington Reade and his wife Elizabeth Murray. Her uncle was the novelist Charles Reade and her elder brother was the traveller and author William Winwood Reade. Reade spent the first part of her life living on her father's estate Ipsden in Oxfordshire. She never married and later lived in various places around England after her father's death in 1881. In her twenties, she became a prolific author with S.P.C.K., penning over thirty titles anonymously. In her last years, she suffered from rheumatism and moved to Cornwall for her health. She died on 7 September 1904 in Porthleven when she was accidentally drowned after being washed off some rocks.

Author Tags:

• Reade Family
• Siblings of Novelists

References: British Census (1881, 1891, 1901); Henley Advertiser (24 September 1904); Probate; Royal Cornwall Gazette (15 September 1904)

Fiction Titles:

1. Clary's Confirmation: A Tale for Very Poor Girls.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1877.
2. Tales for Sunday Scholars.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1878.
3. How Willie Became a Hero: A Tale for Boys.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1881.
4. Harriet's Mistakes: A Story for Servants.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1882.
5. Kate Temple's Mate.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1883.
6. Black Jack and Other Temperance Tales for Boys and Girls.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1884.
7. Bob Curtman's Wife.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1884.
8. After Five Years.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1885.
9. Chimney Park: or, Mrs. Carter's "Comings".  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1886.
10. Aunt Edna.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1886.
11. True to Training.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1887.
12. Walter Morris.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1887.
13. Nell's Bondage.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1887.
14. Polly Rivers: or, What Must I Renounce?.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1888.
15. After the Winter.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1888.
16. Brave Tiny.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1888.
17. How Sandy Learned the Creed.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1889.
18. Mrs. Smith's Lodgers.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1889.
19. Lucy Winter.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1890.
20. Seven Idols: A Tale for Girls.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1890.
21. Mrs. Glen's Daughter.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1891.
22. The False Character.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1891.
23. Martin's Drilling.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1893.
24. Patty Burton: or, The Ninth Commandment.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1894.
25. Mrs. Heritage.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1894.
26. Edith's Charity.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1895.
27. A Wife from the Country.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1895.
28. Emma's Marriage.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1896.
29. Janie Fletcher.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1898.
30. A Daughter-in-Law.  1 vol.  London: S. P. C. K., 1900.