Ethel Nokes
Ethel Louise Nokes was a British children's writer who produced 21 novels from the 1930s to the 1950s – several with equestrian themes, plus a trilogy of girls' school stories. Many of her works have evangelical sub-texts.
Biography
Ethel was born and lived much of her life in London, England. She was brought up in the nonconformist Methodist religion and remained a life-long Methodist. She married William Theodore Nokes in 1906, and they had two children. Following the untimely death of first her daughter-in-law and then her son just three years later, she also took on full responsibility for bringing up her two grandchildren from 1954. Although her own husband died in 1942, Ethel lived into her 90s.Many of Ethel's works have religious undertones and were published by the Religious Tract Society – the nonconformist Christian publisher responsible for both the Boys' Own Paper and the Girls' Own Paper. Some books have The Girl's Own Paper imprint, and later works were published by Ward, Lock & Co. Even when produced by the RTS/GOP the books are acknowledged to handle their piety with a light touch and gentle humour.
She taught children at a school in London, during which time she met and became friends with Enid Blyton, a fellow teacher, poet and children's author. Blyton is believed to have been influential in Ethel Nokes' decision to start writing.
Ethel's girls' school stories have received praise from Sims & Clare, co-authors of The Encyclopaedia of Girls' School Stories. All the novels remain available through antiquarian booksellers, with the rarer titles attracting high prices. Many of the printing plates of Ethel's early works are understood to have been lost in a German bombing raid in London during the Second World War.
Ethel also wrote poetry, and a 20-page book of poems was published in 1969.