Date of Birth: June 23, 1898
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Date of Death: September 29, 1935
Biography
Winifred Holtby was an English novelist and journalist, best known for her novel “South Riding.” Born on June 23, 1898, in Rudston, Yorkshire, England, Holtby was the daughter of David Holtby, a prosperous farmer, and Alice Winn, who later became the first woman alderman in the East Riding County Council. Holtby attended Somerville College, Oxford, where she developed a close friendship with the writer Vera Brittain. After serving as a nurse during World War I, Holtby began her writing career. She wrote for various publications, including the feminist periodical “Time and Tide” and the liberal newspaper “Manchester Guardian.” Her novels often focused on social issues, particularly those affecting women and the working class. “South Riding,” her most famous work, was published posthumously in 1936 and won critical acclaim for its vivid portrayal of life in a Yorkshire community. Holtby was also a committed social activist, advocating for pacifism, feminism, and racial equality. She traveled to South Africa in 1926 to report on racial issues and became an outspoken critic of apartheid. Despite battling chronic health issues, Holtby remained active in her literary and social pursuits until her untimely death from Bright’s disease on September 29, 1935.
5 Interesting Facts about Winifred Holtby
1. Winifred Holtby was a close friend of Vera Brittain, another prominent writer, and their friendship is well-documented in Brittain’s memoir, “Testament of Friendship.”
2. Holtby served as a nurse during World War I, which deeply influenced her writing and activism.
3. Her novel “South Riding” was adapted into a television series by the BBC in 2011.
4. Holtby was a strong advocate for women’s rights and was heavily involved in the feminist movement of her time.
5. She traveled to South Africa in 1926 to investigate and report on racial issues, becoming a vocal critic of apartheid.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Winifred Holtby
1. “The things that one most wants to do are the things that are probably most worth doing.”
2. “God give me work, till my life shall end, and life, till my work is done.”
3. “One must be very poor to know the luxury of giving.”
4. “There are some people who cannot help giving. They are called nurses.”
5. “We are all shipwrecked sailors on the same raft. There is no escape from our common doom, no private salvation.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
There is no public record of Winifred Holtby’s net worth, but her literary works and journalistic contributions were highly regarded.
Children
Winifred Holtby did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Biography of Winifred Holtby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winifred_Holtby
2. [Winifred Holtby – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0392371/
3. [South Riding by Winifred Holtby](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199348.South_Riding
5. [Winifred Holtby Quotes](https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/winifred-holtby-quotes
