Juliana Ewing
Juliana Ewing, born in 1841 in Ecclesfield, England, was a prominent Victorian storyteller and author renowned for her contributions to children's literature. The daughter of Reverend Alfred Gatty, Ewing grew up in a literary environment, with her mother writing children's books inspired by Ewing's imaginative tales. She became affectionately known as "Aunt Judy," a name she later used for her own publication, Aunt Judy's Magazine, which began in the mid-1860s and showcased many of her stories. Ewing's writing evolved over time, with her characters transitioning from childhood to adulthood, reflecting more complex themes.
In 1867, she married Major Alexander Ewing and continued her literary career while navigating the challenges of military life. Despite experiencing financial difficulties when her husband was stationed overseas, Ewing remained committed to her craft. Her works, while sometimes critiqued for their sophistication, had a lasting impact; one of her stories notably influenced Robert Baden-Powell in naming young girl scouts "brownies." Ewing passed away in 1885 in Bath, England, but her legacy endures as she is celebrated among the foremost writers of her era, appealing to both children and adult readers alike.
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Juliana Ewing
Writer
- Born: August 3, 1841
- Birthplace: Ecclesfield, England
- Died: May 13, 1885
- Place of death: Bath, Somerset, England
Biography
Juliana Ewing was born in 1841 in Ecclesfield, England, slightly north of Sheffield. The daughter of the vicar Reverend Alfred Gatty, Ewing was a great storyteller in her youth and her mother, Margaret Scott, even wrote children’s books based on her stories. Nicknamed “Aunt Judy” by her siblings, Ewing carried that name onward in her own stories with Aunt Judy’s Magazine, which began publication in the mid 1860’s. The magazine, which was started for her by George Bell, included the vast majority of Ewing’s of stories.
In 1867, Ewing married Major Alexander Ewing, and she continued her story writing career as she followed him from post to post. Her books remained exciting, but a progression took place in which her characters matured to adulthood. When her husband was sent overseas in the late 1870’s and early 1880’s, Ewing stayed behind and lived rather meagerly; she was forced to rely on the generosity of friends. She died in 1885 in Bath, England, where she had moved earlier in hopes of reviving her health. Although her work was criticized for being too adult and culturally sophisticated for children and young adults, one of her books inspired Scout founder Baden Powell to name young girl scouts “brownies.” Ewing is considered among the foremost of the Victorian writers, and her books found considerable success with adults, even though that was not her intended audience.