Ada Cambridge
Ada Cambridge was an English-born author and poet, born in 1844 to a wealthy farming family. She received her education at home before beginning her literary career, initially publishing religious poetry in church magazines. In 1870, she married George Frederick Cross, an Anglican priest, and moved to Australia, where they lived in various towns while raising their five children. Cambridge's literary contributions flourished during her time in Australia, with her notable work including "Thirty Years in Australia," published in 1903, which detailed her experiences in the country.
Throughout her career, she wrote extensively for publications such as the Australasian and the Sydney Mail, producing at least sixteen serials, many of which were later published as novels in England. Despite her prolific output, by the 1940s, Cambridge's works had largely fallen into obscurity and were often dismissed by critics. Nevertheless, her writings provide valuable insights into the challenges and aspirations of Victorian women, reflecting her quest for independence and personal expression. Cambridge passed away in 1926, leaving behind a legacy of twenty-five novels, poetry collections, and memoirs, including "The Retrospect."
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Ada Cambridge
- Born: November 21, 1844
- Birthplace: Wiggenhall, St. Germans, Norfolk, England
- Died: July 19, 1926
- Place of death: Seymour Road, Elsternwick, Australia
Biography
Ada Cambridge was born in England in 1844. She was the daughter of a wealthy Norfolk farmer and was educated at home by private tutors. As an adult, Cambridge published religious verse in church magazines. In 1870, Cambridge married Anglican priest and missionary George Frederick Cross. That year the couple left for Australia, where Cross ministered to the British colonies. From 1870 to 1909, Cambridge and her husband lived in various towns throughout Australia. The couple had five children, two of whom died before reaching adulthood.
In 1903, Cambridge published the book Thirty Years in Australia, which was based on her personal experiences. Throughout her literary career, Cambridge contributed to such publications as theAustralasian and the Sydney Mail. She initially published much of her work as serials in magazines and newspapers, the most popular being “Up the Murray,” which appeared in the Australasian. Over a period of twenty years, Cambridge published at least sixteen serials in Australia, most of which were later published as novels in her native England.
In 1912, Cambridge and her husband left Australia to return to England. In 1917, six months after the death of her husband, Cambridge went back to Australia. After a long and successful career, Cambridge published her last piece, “Nightfall,” about the ravages of aging, in the Atlantic Monthly in 1922. She died four years later after suffering from partial paralysis at the age of eighty-one.
Cambridge wrote a total of twenty-five novels, along with collections of poetry, books of hymns, and her memoirs,The Retrospect, and Thirty Years in Australia. By the 1940’s, the public had essentially forgotten Cambridge, and critics dismissed her work, claiming it was of dubious value. However, Cambridge’s works reflect the life of a Victorian era woman who sought independence and a means of personal expression.