Cecilia Caddell


Cecilia Mary Caddell was an Irish author who wrote popular Catholic inspirational literature, novels, hymns, and biographies.

Early life

Caddell was born in Harbourstown, the daughter of Richard O'Ferrall Caddell and Paulina Southwell Caddell. Her mother was the daughter of Thomas Arthur, the second Viscount Southwell of Limerick. Her brother, Robert Caddell, was the High Sheriff of Meath. Her younger sister Paulina became a nun.

Literary career

Caddell's works were concentrated in Catholic literature. She was a contributor to Catholic periodicals such as The Lamp and The Irish Monthly Magazine. The Catholic Union and Times wrote that her works served to "elevate the tone of the reading Catholic public". Her most popular work is Blind Agnese, or, Little spouse of the blessed sacrament, which was translated into Italian, French, and republished multiple times. Caddell also wrote historical fiction, such as her three-volume novel Wild Times, a tale of the days of Queen Elizabeth and Nellie Netterville, or, One of the transplanted. She also published religious biographies and religious hymns.

Personal life

Caddell is commonly described as a "lifelong invalid" and suffered from a lifelong chronic illness. Despite this, Caddell likely travelled abroad, having described visits to Lourdes and Aix in her work. She died in Harbourstown, County Meath, in 1877, in her sixties, and her funeral was attended by Edward Preston, 13th Viscount Gormanston and her older sister Sophia's husband, Royal Navy Admiral Arthur Jerningham.

Works

  • A Pearl in Dark Waters. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne. n.d.
  • Father de Lisle, A Story of Tyborne. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne. n.d.
  • Blanche Leslie. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne. n.d.
  • Minister’s Daughter. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne n.d..
  • Little Snowdrop. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne. n.d.
  • Tales for the Young. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne. n.d.
  • Lost Genevieve. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne. 1856
  • "Seymour's Curse, or the Last Mass of Owlesbury"
  • "The Festival of the Banners at Lourdes, in 1872"
  • "Madame de Saisseval"
  • "Early Days of Madame Barat"
  • "Aix and the Falls of Grezy"
  • "The Dark Pond of Châteaulandrin. A Legend of Brittany" ''