Author: Emily Octavia Bray
Author: Emily Octavia Bray (1847–1926)
Alternate Name(s): Barclay (maiden name); Lady Bray (title)
Biography: Emily Octavia Bray was born on 4 August 1847 in Dorking, the daughter of landowner Arthur Kett Barclay and his wife Maria Octavia Wright. Judging by the censuses, she grew up in great wealth and comfort. In 1868, she married barrister (later High Court judge) Reginald More Bray, the son of a neighboring landowner, and the couple would have four sons and four daughters. During her married life, she began writing fiction aimed a young adult readers beginning with Willie and May (1872) which was dedicated to her children. Bray and her husband split their time between their mansion in Kensington and their estate in Shene. Late in life, her husband was knighted. She died on 17 April 1926 in Shene.
References: Allibone; British Census (1851, 1871, 1901, 1911); DNB; Probate
Fiction Titles:
- A Month at the Sea-side: or, A Sequel to Willie and May. 1 vol. London: S. P. C. K., 1872.
- Willie and May: A Story for Children Between Four and Eight. 1 vol. London: S. P. C. K., 1872.
- Madge. 1 vol. London: S. P. C. K., 1873.
- Petite: or, The Story of a Child's Life. 1 vol. London: Seeley, 1873.
- The History of Jack-a-Nory and His Brother. 1 vol. London: S. P. C. K., 1876.
- Ten of Them: or, The Children of Danehurst. 1 vol. London: Griffith and Farran, 1878.
- Silver Linings: or, Light and Shade. 1 vol. London: Griffith and Farran, 1880.
- We Four. 1 vol. London: Griffith and Farran, 1881.