Jane Taylor
Jane Taylor (1783-1824) was an English poet renowned for her contributions to children's literature, most famously for penning the lyrics to "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Born in Holborn, England, she grew up in a family that prioritized education, led by her father, a minister and artist who taught his six children various subjects. Alongside her sister Ann, Taylor was instrumental in establishing a literary group that fostered creativity and collaboration among local writers. Both sisters made significant strides in children's poetry, with their works often addressing themes of childhood, caution, and moral lessons. Their collective publications, such as *Original Poems for Infant Minds* and *Rhymes for the Nursery*, became immensely popular and were widely read throughout the 19th century. Taylor's writings not only entertained but also aimed to impart valuable lessons, capturing the essence of childhood experiences and the importance of ethical behavior. Her legacy continues to resonate, as she is celebrated as one of the first prominent children's poets in England.
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Jane Taylor
Poet
- Born: September 23, 1783
- Birthplace: Holborn, England
- Died: April 12, 1824
- Place of death: Ongar, England
Biography
A poet best known for writing the lyrics to “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” Jane Taylor was born September 23, 1783, in Holborn, England, to Isaac and Ann Taylor. She died April 12, 1824, in Ongar, England.
Her father was a minister, engraver, and painter. The Taylor family valued education; Isaac took upon himself the task of educating his six children but also gave lectures in his home on history, geometry, astronomy, and other topics to groups of as many as thirty children. Their mother often read aloud to the family. Four of the children published books in their lifetimes. Although their father felt that engraving was an appropriate career for the girls, Ann and Jane wrote whenever they could find time. The two girls helped form a literary group in 1798 that met monthly in the Taylor home. The Taylor children and friends discussed literature and read their own writings.
Although Ann and Jane each wrote poetry for children separately, the two sisters also collaborated with each other. They are considered the first well-known and widely read children’s poets in England. Their father Isaac’s 1791 painting of both girls hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Jane’s first poem accepted for publication was “The Beggar Boy” written in response to a contest for Minor’s Pocket Book and printed in 1804. Ann and their brother Isaac had also submitted and had poems accepted, so the publisher, William Darton, invited the Taylor siblings to submit enough poetry for a book. A majority of the poems in Original Poems for Infant Minds, published in 1804, with a second volume published the following year, were composed by either Ann or Jane. The book rapidly went into multiple printings and editions and remained popular throughout the century. The centenary issue, published in 1904, included an introduction by literary critic Edward Verrall Lucas.
A collaboration between the publisher and the Taylor family allowed family engravings to accompany volumes of poetry that were written solely by Jane or Ann. Their first jointly written books included Original Poems for Infant Minds, Rural Scenes: Or, A Peep into the Country, published in 1805; Rhymes for the Nursery, published in 1806; Limed Twigs to Catch Young Birds, published in 1808; and City Scenes: Or, A Peep into London, published in 1809.
Rural Scenes includes poems portraying country life, such as “The Butcher” and “Churning,” while City Scenes focuses on settings rural visitors might find enticing, such as “Westminster Abbey” and “Book-Stall.” City Scenes also cautioned against “city threats” such as pickpockets. Rhymes for the Nursery includes cautionary verse, such as “Playing with Fire,” as well as cheerful poems, such as “The Star,” known today by its opening line, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” In Essays in Rhyme, on Morals and Manners, published in 1816, Jane wrote verses covering egotism, accomplishment, and prejudice, among other lessons for improving oneself.
Jane Taylor will be remembered for writing about the idiosyncracies of children while showing their goodness and humor as well as the benefit of caution or appropriate punishment.