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At the Circulating Library

A Database of Victorian Fiction, 1837–1901

A Database of Victorian Fiction, 1837–1901

Author: Catherine Josephine Martyr

Author: Catherine Josephine Martyr (1856–1910)

Alternate Name(s): Catarina Martini (pseudonym)

Biography: Catherine Josephine Martyr was born on 8 January 1856 in Geelong, Australia, the daughter of solicitor Joseph Martyr and his wife Mary Caroline (née Godfrey). Her younger brother was Major-General Cyril Godfrey Martyr (1860–1936). Her father died in 1867 and the family returned to England the following year settling in Croydon. At a young age, Martyr began writing fiction beginning with The Sororicide (1873) under the pseudonym "Catarina Martini." Her later works appear under her legal name. She continued to live with her widowed mother eventually moving to Exmouth. She never married and died on 30 December 1910 in Exmouth.

Author Tags:

References: British Census (1871, 1881, 1891, 1901); Exmouth Journal (7 January 1911); Geelong Advertiser (27 November 1867)

Fiction Titles:

  1. The Sororicide: A Tale.  1 vol.  Upper Norwood: W. Farmer, 1873.
  2. Evangelina: or, The Artist's Wife. A Tale of Italy.  1 vol.  London: James Blackwood, 1877.