Dollie Radford
Dollie Radford, born Caroline Maitland on December 3, 1858, in London, was a notable poet and writer who made significant contributions to both adult and children's literature. Educated at Queen's College, London, she married Ernest Radford, a lawyer and poet, and had three children, all of whom became poets themselves. Her literary career began in 1883 when her poetry was published in the magazine Progress. Radford's first collection, "A Light Load," was released in 1891, followed by a successful foray into children's literature with works like "Songs for Somebody" and "Good Night."
Her second adult poetry collection, "Songs, and Other Verses," published in 1895, is recognized for its quality. Radford also wrote a novel, "One Way of Love: An Idyll," in 1898, which is noted for its early feminist themes. Additionally, her verse play "The Ransom" was produced in 1912, further illustrating her progressive views on women’s roles in society. She passed away on February 7, 1920, leaving behind a legacy characterized by her lyrical poetry and pioneering feminist ideas, while also being known for hosting prominent writers of her time.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Dollie Radford
Poet, playwright and writer
- Born: December 3, 1858
- Birthplace: London, England
- Died: February 7, 1920
- Place of death: Hampstead, England
Biography
The daughter of a tailor, Dollie Radford was born Caroline Maitland on December 3, 1858, in London, England. She attended Queen’s College, London. In 1883, she married Ernest Radford, a lawyer who was also a poet and writer as well as an art and literary critic. They had three children: Hester, Margaret, and Maitland, all of whom went on to publish their own collections of poetry.
In 1883, Radford’s first poems were printed in the radical magazine Progress under her given name, Caroline Maitland. Her first collection of poetry, A Light Load, was published in 1891 under the name Dollie Radford; the volume was reprinted with illustrations in 1897. She then turned to children’s literature, publishing Songs for Somebody in 1893 and Good Night in 1895. Her second collection for adults, Songs, and Other Verses, published in 1895, contains some of her best poetry.
In 1898, she published a novel, One Way of Love: An Idyll. Unusual for its time, the novel is marked by its early feminist perspective. Her verse play, The Ransom, was produced at the Little Theater in London in 1912 and later printed in Poetry Review. Like her novel, the play offers a feminist perspective on the social role of women. Radford died on February 7, 1920. Radford, who often entertained established writers such as H. G. Wells, D. H. Lawrence, and George Bernard Shaw in her home, is known for the beauty and charm of her verses and the atypical slant of her feminist ideas.