Figure 1.--This girls' school story, 'the Bravest Girl in chool' was punlished in 1924, like others in the genre it depicted hirls as brave and dynamic, inducidulks fully equal to the boys. the author was Ethel Talbot. She was a prolific author ochildren's literture, best known for her girls' school stories. She was born in Sutton Coldfield (1880). Her parents were Hugh Talbot and Margaret Ellen Turrell. Little is know about her chldhood, except that the the family moved ofen. They were a religious fmily, members of the Plymouth Brethren. Ethel had at least eight sisters and one brother. We do not know about her education. She settled in Edinburgh where she pursued her career with a friend and fellow school story wruter E.M. de Foubert (1914-16). Talbot coninued to live and write in Edinburgh until she moved to London (1930s). During theBlitz she moved out of the city to Hayward's Heath. She died there (1944). We are not sure who the illustrator was.

England appears to be a special case in the annals of girls' literature. Were not sure what the first book for girls was, but it most likely was British. Certainly the only significant number of books for girls were British and American. There are many women's study program at American universities. For the most part they focus on the inequities that women faced in America and the struggle for equal rights, especially gaining the vote. Which of course is important, but rarely do they learn how American and Briton led the struggle with advances unheard of in other countries. Girls' literature is one small example of the many advances. Many literary forms developed for boys were soon followed by similar girls' versions, this included papers like the Boys Own Paper, annuals, and school stories. The school stories were set at public schools--meaning elite private boarding schools. These were schools educating only a small percentage of English boys, but the schools stories were at first almost all set at these schools. here were fewer such schools for girls, but the girls' schools tended to adopt the ethos of the boys' schools. And like the boys, the early English girls; school stories were set at these schools. The books were oublished in Ameuca nbd hriughout the Empire. Eventually publications emerged for boys and girls, but many of the early formats were uniquely featured for boys or girls. These girls' annuals persisted even after World War II. We notice them being published in the 1970s, but are not sure about the current status.

Created: 8:58 PM 8/26/2022
Last updated: 8:58 PM 8/26/2022