Mary Gaunt
Mary Gaunt was an Australian author and journalist born in 1861, known for her works that blend romance and travel writing. Growing up in a family that valued exploration, she developed an early love for travel and cultural experiences. Gaunt was educated at Grenville College and the University of Melbourne, after which she began a career in journalism, writing for notable publications such as The Age and The Sydney Mail. Her first novel, *Dave's Sweetheart*, was published in 1894, shortly after her marriage to physician Hubert Lindsay Miller. Following her husband's death, Gaunt shifted her focus from romance novels to travel literature, collaborating with author John Ridgewell Essex on several works set in West Africa. Notable publications include *Alone in West Africa* and *A Woman in China*, reflecting her firsthand travel experiences. In the 1920s, she relocated to Italy, where she continued her writing until fleeing to France in 1940 during the rise of Fascism, where she lived until her death in 1942. Gaunt's legacy includes her contributions to both fiction and travel writing, showcasing her diverse literary talents and adventurous spirit.
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Subject Terms
Mary Gaunt
Writer
- Born: February 20, 1861
- Birthplace: Indigo, Victoria, Australia
- Died: January 19, 1942
- Place of death: Cannes, France
Biography
Mary Gaunt was born in 1861 in Australia, the eldest of six children. She was the daughter of a British magistrate. Gaunt’s family traveled frequently, which fostered Gaunt’s early appreciation for travel and different cultures. She attended Grenville College in Ballarat, Australia, and later the University of Melbourne. After her studies, Gaunt pursued a career as a journalist, writing for The Age, The Sydney Mail, The Argus, and The Australian. In 1890, Gaunt pursued her love of travel by spending a year visiting England and India. Upon her return to Australia, she wrote her first novel, the romance Dave’s Sweetheart, which was published in 1894. That same year she married physician Hubert Lindsay Miller. Over the next several years, Gaunt published more romance novels, but she changed to travel writing after the death of her husband in 1900. Gaunt eventually relocated to England and began collaborating with author John Ridgewell Essex. Their first effort, The Arm of the Leopard, was published in 1904. This was the first of four novels set in West Africa; the second, Fools Rush In, was published in 1906. In 1908, Gaunt traveled to West Africa and used her firsthand knowledge to compose two more novels with Essex about the subject. In 1911, she published her first independent personal account of her travels, Alone in West Africa. After a journey to China, Gaunt published her next travel book, A Woman in China. In the 1920’s, Gaunt moved to Italy, where she was to remain for twelve years. While there, she again wrote novels and continued to write her travel logs. She fled Italy in 1940 during the Fascist regime, taking refuge in France, where she died two years later.