Lamb, Mary Ann

Lamb, Mary Ann

▪ British author
born Dec. 3, 1764, London, Eng.
died May 20, 1847, London

      English writer, known for Shakespear, written with her brother Charles (Lamb, Charles).

      Born into a poor family, Mary Lamb received little formal education. From an early age she helped support the family by doing needlework. Her mother was an invalid, and for many years she was entirely dependent on Mary's care. On Sept. 22, 1796, in a fit of madness, Mary stabbed and killed her mother. It is believed that there was a hereditary strain of mental illness in the family and that Mary's illness was precipitated by overwork. She was declared temporarily insane and placed under the guardianship of her brother Charles. For the rest of her life Mary was subject to recurrent bouts of mental illness.

      In 1807 Mary and Charles published Tales from Shakespear, a collection of prose adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays, intended for children. Mary wrote the preface and the 14 comedies and histories, and Charles contributed the 6 tragedies; only Charles's name, however, appeared on the title page. The book was successful, and it established Charles Lamb's literary reputation. In 1809 Charles and Mary published two collaborative works, Mrs. Leicester's School, a book of children's stories, and Poetry for Children.

      After Charles's death, Mary's mental health deteriorated. She survived him by 13 years.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Mary Ann Lamb — (* 3. Dezember 1764 in London; † 20. Mai 1847 ebenda) war eine englische Schriftstellerin und Mitarbeiterin ihres ebenfalls schreibenden Bruders Charles Lamb. Als Kind einer wenig begüterten Familie erweiterte sie ihre bescheidene Schulbildung… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mary Ann Aldersey — v · d · …   Wikipedia

  • Mary Lamb — Mary Ann Lamb Mary Ann Lamb (* 3. Dezember 1764 in London; † 20. Mai 1847 ebenda) war eine englische Schriftstellerin und Mitarbeiterin ihres ebenfalls schreibenden Bruders Charles Lamb. Als Kind einer wenig begüterten Familie erweiterte sie ihre …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Lamb, Charles — born Feb. 10, 1775, London, Eng. died Dec. 27, 1834, Edmonton, Middlesex English essayist and critic. Lamb was employed as a clerk at East India House (headquarters for the East India Company) from 1792 to 1825. From 1796 he was guardian of his… …   Universalium

  • Mary Lamb — With her brother Charles painting by Francis Stephen Cary Born 3 December 1764(1764 12 03) England …   Wikipedia

  • Lamb —   [læm],    1) Charles, englischer Schriftsteller, * London 10. 2. 1775, ✝ Edmonton (heute zu London) 27. 12. 1834; 1792 1825 Beamter der East India Company. Mit seiner Schwester Mary (* 1764, ✝ 1847) veröffentlichte Lamb Nacherzählungen für… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Lamb — heißen die Orte in den Vereinigten Staaten: Lamb (Indiana) Lamb Township (Scott County, Arkansas) The Lamb, Insel Lamb bezeichnet außerdem eine englische Band, siehe Lamb (Band) Lamb ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Alfred William Lamb… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Lamb,Charles — Lamb, Charles. Known as “Elia.” 1775 1834. British critic and essayist. With his sister Mary Ann Lamb (1764 1847) he wrote the children s book Tales from Shakespeare (1807). * * * …   Universalium

  • Lamb — (spr. lämm), 1) Charles, engl. Dichter, geb. 10. Febr. 1775 in London, gest. 27. Dez. 1834 in Edmonton, war 1792–1825 bei der Ostindischen Kompanie als Sekretär angestellt. Als Schriftsteller wurde er berühmt durch die zuerst im »London Magazine« …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Lamb — [lam] 1. Charles (pen name Elia) 1775 1834; Eng. essayist & critic 2. Mary (Ann) 1764 1847; Eng. writer: sister of Charles & coauthor with him of Tales from Shakespeare 3. Willis Eugene 1913 ; U.S. physicist …   English World dictionary

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