Mary Anne Schimmelpenninck
Mary Anne Schimmelpenninck (née Galton, 25 November 1778 – 29 August 1856) was a British writer in the anti-slavery movement.
Early life
Born at
When about eighteen Mary Anne visited her cousins,
On 29 September 1806 Mary Anne Galton married Lambert Schimmelpenninck of Berkeley Square, Bristol, a member of a branch of a noble Dutch family in the shipping trade at Bristol. The newly married couple settled in the city. Mrs. Schimmelpenninck took part in local charities and education, holding classes for young people at her own house. About 1811 her husband fell into money troubles. At the same time a dispute regarding her settlements led to a breach between her and all the members of her family, which was never healed.[1]
Writer
Schimmelpenninck turned her attention to literature for a livelihood.
Among her books on other subjects was Theory on the Classification of Beauty and Deformity, 1815. She also developed a system for recording findings during phrenological examinations, published in 1827 as Phrenographic Register, or Phrenologist's Assistant in Recording Manipulations with Facility, Accuracy, and Despatch.[2] Schimmelpenninck had prepared the phrenology report used in the prosecution of accused murderer John Horwood in 1821.
She also studied Hebrew with Mrs. Richard Smith, "her more than sister for forty-three years", and embodied the result in Biblical Fragments, 1821–2, 2 vols.[1]
Views
Schimmelpenninck passed through various phases of religious belief. Even as a child, when attending the Friends' meetings with her parents, she was troubled with doubts. She told Caroline Fox that she had "suffered from an indiscriminate theological education". In 1818 she joined the Moravian Church; and although towards the end of her life she was attracted to the Roman Catholic church, she remained a Moravian until her death.[1]
Later life
In 1837 Schimmelpenninck was attacked with paralysis, and moved to Clifton. Her health improved slowly. After her husband's death, in June 1840, she led a retired life. She died at Bristol on 29 August 1856, and was buried in the burying-ground of the Moravian chapel there.[1]
Works
Other works by Schimmelpenninck are:[1]
- Asaph, or the Herrnhutters; a rhythmical sketch of the modern history of the Moravians, 1822.
- Psalms according to the Authorised Version, 1825.
- Some Particulars relating to the late Emperor Alexander, translated from the French, 1830.
- The Principles of Beauty, as manifested in Nature, Art, and Human Character, edited by Christiana C. Hankin, 1859.
- Sacred Musings on the Manifestations of God to the Soul of Man, edited by Hankin, 1860.
Bibliography
- Life of Mary Anne Schimmelpenninck vol 1 Autobiography; ed. Christiana C Hankin; London, Longman, Green et al., 1858.
- Life of Mary Anne Schimmelpenninck vol 2 Biographical Sketch and Letters; ed. Christina C. Hankin; London, Longman, Green et al., 1858.
- Narrative of a Tour to La Grande Chartreuse and Alet
- Narrative of the Demolition of the Monastery of Port Royal des Champs
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lee, Sidney, ed. (1897). . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 50. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
- ^ Schimmelpenninck, Mary Anne (1827). Phrenographic Register. J. Taylor.
External links
- The Literacy Encyclopedia profile page for Mary Anne Schimmelpenninck
- People from the Somerset Village of Loxton
- Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Schimmelpenninck, Mary Anne". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.