Mary Augusta Ward

Date of Birth: June 11, 1851

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: March 24, 1920

Biography

Mary Augusta Ward, born Mary Augusta Arnold, was a British novelist and social reformer born on June 11, 1851, in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. She is best known for her popular novels, which often explored themes of religion, social issues, and the role of women in society. Ward was the daughter of Thomas Arnold, a professor of literature, and the niece of poet Matthew Arnold, which positioned her within a well-educated and culturally influential family. Ward moved to England with her family when she was five years old. She received her education at a boarding school in Bristol, where she demonstrated an early talent for writing. In 1872, she married Thomas Humphry Ward, a fellow scholar and writer. The couple settled in Oxford, where Ward began her literary career, contributing articles to magazines and editing anthologies. Her first novel, “Miss Bretherton,” was published in 1884, but it was her second novel, “Robert Elsmere” (1888), that brought her widespread acclaim and established her as a significant literary figure. The book dealt with contemporary religious debates and was praised for its intellectual depth and character development. Beyond her writing, Ward was also a dedicated social reformer. She was involved in the establishment of the Passmore Edwards Settlement in London, which provided educational and recreational opportunities for the working class. Ward’s commitment to social causes extended to her support for women’s higher education and her involvement in the anti-suffrage movement, which opposed women’s suffrage. Mary Augusta Ward continued to write prolifically throughout her life, producing numerous novels, essays, and works of non-fiction. She passed away on March 24, 1920, in London, England.

5 Interesting Facts about Mary Augusta Ward

1. Mary Augusta Ward was the niece of the famous poet and literary critic Matthew Arnold.

2. Her novel “Robert Elsmere” (1888) was highly influential and sparked widespread public debate about religious faith and doubt.

3. Ward was a prominent social reformer and founded the Passmore Edwards Settlement in London to help improve the lives of the working class.

4. Despite her progressive views on education and social issues, Ward was an active member of the anti-suffrage movement, which opposed women’s right to vote.

5. She was one of the first women to be named a “Honorary Fellow” of Somerville College, Oxford.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mary Augusta Ward

1. “The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum.”

2. “The passions are the winds which fill the sails of the vessel; sometimes they sink it, but without them it would be impossible to make way.”

3. “The main thing is to be honest with oneself, to know and acknowledge one’s own limitations and to use one’s talents to the best of one’s ability.”

4. “There is no substitute for hard work and perseverance in achieving one’s goals.”

5. “True education is a kind of never-ending story—a matter of continual unfolding and growing.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While precise figures are difficult to ascertain, Mary Augusta Ward achieved significant financial success through her writing. At the height of her career, her net worth was estimated to be substantial, allowing her to live comfortably and contribute to various social causes.