Novelist, only daughter of a landed gentleman of Hampshire, was born near Winchester, and in her girlhood came under the influence of Keble, who was a near neighbour. She began writing in 1848, and published during her long life about 100 works, chiefly novels, interesting and well-written, with a High Church tendency. Among the best known are The Heir of Redclyffe, Heartsease, and The Daisy Chain. She also wrote Cameos from English History, and Lives of Bishop Patteson and Hannah More. The profits of her works were devoted to religious objects.