Table of Contents

Edith Nesbit

Born in London

Edith Nesbit was born on August 15, 1858, in London, England. 1)

Family struggled financially

She was one of six children, and her family struggled financially, leading to a somewhat unstable upbringing. 2)

Avid reader

As a child, Nesbit was an avid reader, and she developed a love for books that would shape her career as a writer. 3)

Married life

Nesbit married Hubert Bland in 1880 and had five children with him. Their marriage was unconventional, as Bland had several extramarital affairs and fathered two children with other women. 4)

Lays and Legends

Nesbit's first published work was a collection of poetry called “Lays and Legends” in 1886. 5)

Wrote over 60 books

She went on to write over 60 books, including novels, short stories, and poetry collections. 6)

Five Children and It

Nesbit is best known for her children's books, including “Five Children and It,” “The Phoenix and the Carpet,” and “The Railway Children.” 7)

Imaginative storytelling

Her books were popular with both children and adults and were praised for their humor, adventure, and imaginative storytelling. 8)

Socialist and a feminist

Nesbit was a socialist and a feminist, and her political beliefs often influenced her writing. Many of her books contain themes of social justice and equality. 9)

Fabian Society

Nesbit was a founding member of the Fabian Society, a socialist organization that played a significant role in British politics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 10)

Influence

Nesbit's writing also had a significant influence on other authors, including C.S. Lewis, J.K. Rowling, and Neil Gaiman. 11)

Accomplished speaker

In addition to her writing, Nesbit was also an accomplished speaker and lecturer, and she gave many talks on topics such as socialism and women's suffrage. 12)

Life marked by tragedy

Nesbit's personal life was marked by tragedy. Two of her children died in infancy, and her son Fabian died at the age of 15 from complications related to surgery. 13)

Died in 1924

Nesbit was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1924 and died on May 4, 1924, at the age of 65. 14)

Struggled financially

Despite her success as a writer, Nesbit struggled with financial difficulties throughout her life, and she often had to rely on the support of friends and family to make ends meet. 15)