Caroline Leigh Gascoigne


Caroline Leigh Gascoigne was a 19th-century English poet and novelist from London. The daughter of a wealthy banker, she began writing at an early age and went on to publish several works in both prose and verse, including Temptation and Evelyn Harcourt. She was married to a Member of Parliament and had three children.

Biography

Caroline Leigh Smith was born 2 May 1813 in London, England. She was the daughter of John Smith, MP, and his third wife Emma Leigh. Her early years were spent at her father's estate, Dale Park in Sussex. Her father was a rich banker but he was accidentally poisoned by his nearly-blind wife, who gave him an overdose of laudanum. Her elder half brothers were the MPs John Abel Smith and Martin Tucker Smith.
Gascoigne began writing fiction and poetry at an early age. She published Temptation, Evelyn Harcourt, Dr. Harold's Note-Book, and other works in prose and verse.
In 1834, she married Lt.Col. Ernest Frederick Gascoigne, MP for Liverpool, and the couple had three children.
Caroline Gascoigne died on 11 June 1883.

Selected works

Novels

Temptation, or, a wife's perils The School for Wives: A Novel Evelyn Harcourt: A Novel Spencer's Cross Manor House, a tale for young people Next Door Neighbours: A Novel
  • ''Doctor Harold''

Short stories

  • "My aunt Prue's railway journey"
  • "Dr. Harold's Note-Book"

Poems

  • "Belgravia"
  • "Recollections of the Crystal Palace"
  • "England's Heroes!"

Contributor

Articles

  • "In memoriam: A memoir of Ernest Frederick Gascoigne"