Caroline Norton
Caroline Norton (1808-1877) was a significant English poet, novelist, and social reformer known for her impactful literary contributions and advocacy for women’s rights. Born in London to a prominent family with theatrical roots, she began her writing career as a teenager. In 1827, she married George Norton, but their union was fraught with difficulties, leading to her departure after three years. Following their separation, Norton faced legal battles over custody of her children and financial support, which galvanized her to campaign for legal reforms. Her efforts culminated in the Infant Custody Bill of 1839 and influenced the Marriage and Divorce Act of 1857, enhancing the legal status of married women in England. Throughout her life, Norton published several poetry collections and novels, including "The Sorrows of Rosalie" and "Stuart of Dunleath," often reflecting her personal experiences. After her first husband’s death, she married Sir William Stirling-Maxwell. Caroline Norton’s legacy lives on through her contributions to literature and her role in advancing women's rights during the 19th century.
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Subject Terms
Caroline Norton
Author
- Born: March 22, 1808
- Birthplace: London, England
- Died: June 15, 1877
- Place of death: London, England
Biography
Poet and novelist Caroline Norton (née Sheridan) was born in London, England, on March 22, 1808. Her father was Thomas Sheridan, and her grandfather was the playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Norton began to write when she was a teenager.
She married the Honorable George Norton in 1827, but the marriage was unhappy and she left him after only three years. Her husband promptly filed a lawsuit against her friend Lord Melbourne, who was prime minister at the time. He lost the lawsuit, but he was awarded custody of their children. He subsequently denied her access to the children and her clamorous opposition to his unjust decision eventually led to the introduction of the Infant Custody Bill, which took effect in 1839. Her husband’s refusal to pay her allowance and his demand to collect her literary earnings led to another lawsuit in 1855. Norton wrote a letter to Queen Victoria describing the injustices she had endured at the hands of her husband. Her English Laws for Women in the Nineteenth Century (1854) and A Letter to the Queen (1855) paved the way for the Marriage and Divorce Act of 1857, which helped raise the status of married women in England. She married Sir William Stirling- Maxwell after her husband died in 1875.
Norton’s literary reputation was firmly established in her time. In 1829, she published her first collection of poetry, The Sorrows of Rosalie: A Tale with Other Poems.. Another poetry collection, The Undying One, and Other Poems, came out in 1830; the lead poem was a romance based on the medieval legend of the Wandering Jew. She also wrote the well-received collection The Dream, and Other Poems, which was published in 1840. She published another book of poetry, Aunt Carry’s Ballads for Children, in 1847.
Norton also published novels, including Stuart of Dunleath (1851), Lost and Saved (1863), and Old Sir Douglas (1867). In her fiction, she drew inspiration from the often unhappy experiences of her own life. Norton died in London on June 15, 1877.