Popularising science and juvenile evangelical fiction
Notable work
Sun, Moon, and Stars (1879)
Agnes Giberne (19 November 1845 – 20 August 1939) was a British novelist and scientific writer.[1] Her fiction was typical of Victorian evangelical fiction with moral or religious themes for children. She also wrote books on science for young people, a handful of historical novels, and one well-regarded biography.
Biography
Giberne was born in Belgaum, Karnataka, India[2], the daughter of Captain Charles Giberne of the Bengal Native Infantry and Lydia Mary Wilson.[3] Her ancestors were Huguenots from Languedoc in France where the "de Gibernes" lived in Chateau de Gibertain.[4] Charles Giberne was from a large family. He had eight sisters and four brothers.[note 1] Three of his brothers also served in India.[5]
Giberne's parents married at St. Mary the Virgin, Walthamstow on 11 December 1838.[6][7] It is not absolutely clear how many siblings Giberne had. The British Library's India Family History and Families in British India Society records show:
Mary Lydia Giberne, on 1 December 1840 at Karrack, Persian Gulf.[8] She died at Ahymednuggar on 7 May 1842, aged 17 months.[9]
Twins born on 21 January 1844 at Ahmednuggur, with the boy still-born and the girl, Helen Mary Giberne, surviving.[10] However, She died in the first quarter of 1861, aged 17.[11]
Agnes, born on 19 November 1845 at Belgaum.
Florence, born on 1 June 1847 at Poona.[2] However, she died in Brighton on 5 September 1858, aged 11 years.[12]
Eliza, born on 5 December 1848, At her maternal grandfather's at Worton House, Over-Warton, Oxfordshire.[13] Died aged 79 on 22 February 1928.
By the time of the 1851 census, Lydia Mary was staying with her four surviving daughters at Beach in Weston-super-mare with the Rector of Eyam in Derbyshire and his family. Charles Giberne had already been pensioned off and was staying at no 17, Beaufort, in Bath with two servants. By the time of the 1861 census, only two girls survived, Giberne and her sister Eliza.
Eliza was educated privately,[14] by governesses and special masters.[15] She began to scribble stories at age seven and shared these with her sisters[16] She ascribed her literary tastes to her mother and her scientific curiosity to her father.[15][17]: 244
Writing
Giberne states that she began to publish children's stories at seventeen. These were probably short stories in magazines. The first children's book by Giberne in the British Library is A Visit to Aunt Agnes (Religious Tract Society, London, 1864). It was advertised on 24 November 1864 at the price of two shillings.[18] Giberne would have been 19 by then. Copson states that her children's stories were "typical works of Victorian evangelical fiction emphasizing childish faults and the need for salvation."[3]
Initially, Giberne's work was signed either A. G. or she was indirectly indicated through identifying other works she had written. The first book in England which bears her name was The Curate's House which she wrote to draw attention to clerical poverty.[4][note 2] Giberne had a wider range than just evangelical and didactic stories for young children. She also wrote books targeted at young adolescent girls, which was mainly published by the Religious Tract Society.[17]: 245
Giberne also wrote historical novels including:
Detained in France : a tale of the first French empire (Seeley, 1871). A story about the English people detailed by Napoleon on the outbreak of war.[23]
Aimée: a tale of the days of James the Second (Seeley, 1872). A story about the Huguenot persecution in France and their flight to England.[24]: 267
Coulyng Castle, or, A knight of the olden days (Seeley, 1875). A picture of castle life under Henry IV and Henry V.[24]: 31
Roy. A tale in the days of Sir John Moore. (Pearson, 1901). Returns to the theme of those detained by Napoleon, but adds in Sir John Moore's famous retreat and the Battle of Corunna.[24]: 141
Under Puritan rule: a tale of troublous days (National Society's Depository, 1909). Focuses on the sufferings of those Anglican clergy who were deprived of their livings by the Puritans.[24]: 76
In 1895 Giberne published A lady of England: the life and letters of Charlotte Maria Tucker (Hodder & Stoughton), who wrote children's fiction under the pseudonym "A Lady of England" (A.L.O.E.), and late in life, became a missionary in India.[note 3] Giverne's Aunt Caroline Cuffley Giberne (1803-1885) had also worked as a missionary in India, and also concentrated on work with women and girls.[26]
However, Giberne is best remembered for her books popularising science.[4] Giberne was an amateur astronomer who worked on the committee setting up the British Astronomical Association and became a founder-member in 1890.[27][note 4] Giberne's first foray into science was a book on astronomy Sun, Moon and Stars: Astronomy for Beginners (Seeley, 1879). She had sent the proofs to Charles Pritchard (29 February 1808 – 28 May 1893), the Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford University and he was so impressed by it that he wrote, without being asked, a very positive introduction.[28]. The Graphic stated that "As an introduction to a science, it could scarcely be more attractive, and it is the best book of the kind we have seen."[29]
The book remained in print for many years and had sold 10,000 copies by 1884,[30] 24,000 copies by 1898,[31] and 26,000 by 1903, when she issued another revised edition.[32] However, this total probably does not include the sales in the United States, where the book was published as The Story of The Sun, Moon, and Stars, as the totals cited come from the edition count on the title page of the Seeley editions, and Seeley would only have counted their own editions, and not those of another publisher.
Giberne wrote several other books on Astronomy including:
Among the Stars, or wonderful things in the sky (Seeley, 1884),[33] intended for younger children, where a boy called Ikon has the solar system and stars explained to him by a professor. St James's Gazette said that Giberne "tells about the wonderful things in the sky in clear pleasant language that every child can understand, and in a manner that is probably new to them. Some of the lessons are illustrated by little experiments which will be both amusing and instructive to repeat in the nursery; and there are visits the sun and moon that read like strange and beautiful fairy-tales. In every way this is a most excellent book for children.[34]
The starry skies, first lessons on the sun, moon and stars (Seeley & Co).[35] In this book Giberne "offered lucid and simple explanations of gravity, the seasons, the rotation of the earth, the moon, the sun, the planets of the solar system, comets, meteors, stars, and nebulae".[36]: 429 As with some of the other books for children Giberne used the power of the imagination to help teach scientific fact.
Radiant suns (Seeley & Co, 1895), a sequel to Sun, moon and star but more advanced. It covered the history of astronomy, the relatively new science of spectral analysis, and a discussion of the stellar universe.[37]
This Wonderful Universe (SPCK, 1895). Completely rewritten and revised for an illustrated edition in 1920. An introduction to the heavens for younger readers.
Giberne did not ignore the other sciences, she also wrote books on:
Geology, with The world's foundations, or Geology for beginners (Seeley, 1882). In her preface, Gilberne noted that some counted Geology to be a dangerous subject, and that there can be no conflict between the Bible, as the word of God, and His handiwork, in the shape of the Geology of the Earth.[38]
Physics, with Twilight Talks, or easy lessons on things around us (Religious Tract Society, 1882).A little volume for children on scientific subjects.[39] In her preface, Giberne says that if the book were called "An introduction to Physics" it would frighten off its intended users.[40]
Hydrology with Father Aldur. A water story, etc.[41] Here again imagination (a sleeping boy dreams of the river as a living being) and scientific fact are interwoven.[42]
Meteorology, with The Ocean of Air, Meteorology for Beginners (Seely, 1890).[43] This volume also had an enthusiastic preface written by Charles Pritchard, again volunteered by him, when he read the proofs.[44] The book described the "gases, water, forms of life, movement, disturbances, and forces within air."[36]: 432 The photographs illustrating the book were said to be "genuine works of art".[45]
Natural History, with A modern Puck, a fairly story for children (Jarrold, 1898).[46] This was ostensibly a fairy story but contained lots of nuggets of information about animal behaviour, insects etc. One review said that the book was one which "teaches much", but unobtrusively and not "as if it were teaching at all," and every healthy-minded child must be delighted "with such a book, with its pleasant and quite natural make-believe."[47] The magic cloak which the fairy used enabled the heroine to see "into the homes of many an animal and insect."[48]
Oceanography, with The Mighty Deep and what we know of it (Pearson, 1902).[49] One reviewer said "Call it oceanography and it is apt to repel; put it in Miss Giberne'e graceful words and it attracts while it teaches."[50]. Another said "It is a singularly informing book, and is written in such a way that any boy or girl of average intelligence will not only understand it readily but will thoroughly enjoy it. There are too too few books of this class."[51]
Science in general, with This Wonder World (Religious Tract Society, 1913). In this volume, Giberne addresses a range of topics "how the wood and the iron and the coal come to be here, and how the air and the water and the fire serve us. Concerning these and other subjects such as flying machines, Miss Giberne writes very simply and effectively."[52]
Botany, with The garden of earth, a little book on plant-life, plantgrowth, and the ways and uses of plants (SPCK, 1920).[53] "It is not a Manual of Botany with hard and dry names, which often make the subject distasteful, but a book introducing us gradually and simply to an intimate and loving acquaintance with the inhabitants of the vegetable world."[54]
Giberne was prolific. At her peak in the 1880s and 1890s, she produced 36 and 33 volumes respectively. Her output tapered off after 1900. However, her output over eight decades indicates her dedication to her work.
Published volumes by Giberne per decade
Decade
Number
1860–1869
12
1870–1879
26
1880–1889
36
1890–1899
33
1900–1909
11
1910–1919
7
1920–1929
4
1930–1939
1
Later life
Although the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography states that Giberne wrote for her own interests rather than to earn money,[3] she relied to some extent on her royalty income. Giberne found herself with severe financial problems in 1905, and applied to the Royal Literary Fund. She was now sixty, and was said to have given up the best years of her life to support her ailing father (who had died in 1902). She had failing eyesight, with cataracts in both eyes, and a weak heart. Her income was listed as an annuity, the royalties from her books, and £100 a year from the Indian Civil Service as a pensioner's child. She was awarded £200 from the Royal Literary Fund and £273 from the Royal Bounty Fund, both to be put towards the purchase of a Post Office annuity. However, her royalty income was falling, and her nominal income of £170 was not sufficient due to the rising cost of living, and she had been force to sell some furniture and all of her silver as well as moving into smaller accommodation. This time she was awarded a grant of £50.[36]: 428-429
The 1911 census found her lodging in rooms at 2, The Avenue, Eastbourne. In 1939 she was living at 21 Enys Road Eastbourne.[55] She died in a nursing home[4] at 16 Motcombe Road, Eastbourne, on 20 August 1939, aged 94. Her estate was worth £539 18s 11d.[55]
List of works
The following list of works has developed largely from a search[56] on the Jisc Library Hub Discover database.[note 5]. Where necessary, missing details such as page counts and publisher's names have been filled in by searches on WorldCat and on newspaper archives.
^One of his sisters was the artist and notable convert to Roman Catholicism Maria Rosina Giberne (1802−1885)
^Clerical poverty was a serious problem in the Victorian Era. About one-quarter of the clergy were considered to be comfortably off, with at least £500 per annum in 1830. The desirable minimum income for a clergyman was thought to be £400.[20]. Jervis reported that in 1854 that 6,750 parochial benefices were worth less than £300.[21] This is why the list of charities prepared by the editor of the Ecclesiastical Gazette in 1859 shows some 59 central, and 153 Diocesan charities for the assistance of the Clergy.[22]
^ abThis was the standard biography on Tucker, who used the pseudonym "A Lady of England" (A.L.O.E.) for her children's fiction. The daughter of a chairman of the East India Company, she was devoutly religious, but was constrained from engaging in mission-work in London by her parents. However, at fifty-four, being independent both financially and otherwise, she sailed for India where she settled in the Punjab and began visiting zenanas of both Hindu and Muslim families to familiarise the women there with Christian doctrine, without any great success.[25]
^The society was set up for those who were interested in astronomy, but precluded from one reason or another (e.g. being female) from joining the Royal Astronomical Society.[27]
^The Jisc Library Hub Discover brings together the catalogues of 168 major UK and Irish libraries. Additional libraries are being added all the time, and the catalogue collates national, university, and research libraries.[57][58]
^A brief account of the empires of Assyria, Persia, Greece under Philip of Macedon and Alexander, and Rome. Translated into Tamil by W. T. Satthianadhan as Pūrvīkattiluḷḷa nān̲ku irācciyaṅkaḷin̲ curukkac carittiram. Although the British Library gives the date of the publication as 1860, when Giberne was 15, this seems unlikely as she states in here Who's Who entry that she began writing for publication when she was 17.[15] Satthianadhan was a Hindu convert to Christianity who became an Anglican priest. His son Samuel Satthianadhan was a writer, educator, and social reformer. Giberne's cousin Caroline Cuffley Giberne (1803-1885) was the mentor for Satthianadhan's wife Anna, and also corresponded with Satthianadhan.[59]
^No author name given on book.[60] In this book, Thiel noted that "readers learn not only of childish pastimes but also of contemporary attitudes toward India and China and toward the American novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, published twelve years previously."[61]
^Published in October 1864 with the author as A. G.[62]
^No author name given, but described as by the author of Willie and Lucy at the Sea-Side, and Hungering and Thirsting etc.[71]
^Author given as Agnes Giberne.[23] Giberne write a second book about the thoses detained at the time of Napoleon in Roy: a Tale in the days of Sir John Moore in 1900.[24]: 141
^A novel based on the 1871 persecution of the Huguenots in the reign of Louis XIV. The flight of many to England, and the struggle for religious freedom there under James II.[24]: 267
^A historical novel set at Couling Castle near Cobham in Kent. This is a picture of castle life in the time of Henry IV and Henry V, and a love-tale.[24]: 31
^Not a book but a Christmas Story in A Day of Days.
^The first of Gibnernes works that popularised science. The Pall Mall Gazette stated that "The style of the book is well fitted to excite attention; it must be a dull boy or girl who will not find it attractive, and it is satisfactory to know that the author can not only write pleasantly, but that her book, in the judgment of a distinguished astronomer, is 'free from any considerable inaccuracy or any unpardonable exaggeration.'"[28]
^Subtitled as "A treatise on the Israelitish priesthood as typical of the Christian priesthood."
^'The Graphic said the book was "a geological work for beginners, written in a plain, straightforward style, which has much to recommend it, while the text is still further elucidated by numerous illustrations."[72]
^Described by the Fifeshire Journal as a little volume for children on scientific subjects.[39]
^Not a nature study, but the story of five orphan children.[73] Illustrated by Robert Barnes.[74]
^Covers similar ground to Sun, Moon, and Stars but for younger children.
^The London Correspondent of the DunedinEvening Star considered that this was "a very suitable book to give a servant-girl."[75]
^Illustrated by her cousin, the artist Edgar Giberne.
^Included the story Jackie's New Dodge by Giberne. This was one of a series of children's anthologies by Skeffington.[76]: 507
^Sutherland describes this book as ending with banns, frocks, and veils.[17]: 245
^ abcdefPenny booklets for the people, one of six in a set by Giberne
^More advanced than Sun, Moon, and Stars, this book covers the history of astronomy, the relatively new science of spectral analysis, and the broader universe.[37]
^An exploration of natural history very cleverly wrapped up in a fairy story.
^This was in the Society's "One Anna Library". This was "an account of the early history of the earth, and introduces the reader to such monsters as the mammoth, mastodon, iguanodon, hadrosaurus and other extinct animals."[77]
^Giberne's second story (the first was the 1871 Detained in France) about the thousands of English travellers whom Napoleon detained on the outbreak of war and kept for years as prisoners. Sir John Moore's famous retreat to Corunna, and his victory there, is featured.[24]: 141
^The Globe said the book was ". . . unquestionably readable and at the same time eminently instructive."[78]
^Kemp describes this book as "a commonplace thriller focused on a family taint which is redeemed by self-sacrifice"[14]
^A Historical Novel with ten episodes based on one set of characters, illustrating the persecution of Anglican clergymen under the Long Parliament and Cromwell, when 8,000 or so were expelled from their livings. Historically accurate, and many of the main characters were real people.[24]: 76
^New illustrated edition, completely revised and rewritten version of the original of 1897,[79] and not, as the reviewer in the Aberdeen Press and Journal stated,[80] a revised edition of Sun Moon and Stars.
^A primer on botany and the natural world. "This work, with its many fine diagrams, will be sure to be popular, treating, as it does, with the world plant life, the family relationships, the work of roots and stems, the power of sunlight, and the wonderful work of flowers, winds, and insects."[54]
^Essex Record Office (2019). "Marriage Register; Walthamstow, St Mary the Virgin; Waltham Forest Archives; 1837-1868". Essex, England, Church of England Marriages, 1754-1935. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com.
^"Married". The Suffolk Chronicle; or Weekly General Advertiser & County Express. (Saturday 15 December 1838): 3. 15 December 1838. Retrieved 19 October 2020 – via The British Newspaper Archive.
PT Liga Indonesia BaruJenisTertutupIndustriSepak bolaPendahuluPT Liga Indonesia (2009-2016)Didirikan16 Maret 2017; 6 tahun lalu (2017-03-16)KantorpusatJakarta, IndonesiaTokohkunci Zainudin Amali(Komisaris Utama) Ferry Paulus(Direktur Utama) ProdukLiga 1Liga 2Liga 1 U-20PemilikPSSI (99%)Yayasan Bakti Sepak Bola Indonesia (1%)IndukPSSISitus webligaindonesiabaru.com Liga Indonesia Baru adalah perusahaan asal Indonesia yang merupakan penyelenggara kompetisi sepak bola Indonesia, yaitu Liga 1...
Health policy in relation to vaccination Strictest vaccination policy by countryGraphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. Mandatory to all Mandatory to some Recommended to all Recommended to some A vaccination policy is a health policy adopted in order to prevent the spread of infectious disease. These policies are...
City in Missouri, United StatesBrunswick, MissouriCityLocation of Brunswick, MissouriCoordinates: 39°25′25″N 93°7′44″W / 39.42361°N 93.12889°W / 39.42361; -93.12889CountryUnited StatesStateMissouriCountyCharitonArea[1] • Total1.25 sq mi (3.24 km2) • Land1.20 sq mi (3.11 km2) • Water0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2)Elevation[2]650 ft (200 m)Population (2020)&...
Women's college basketball season 1986–87 Clemson Tigers women's basketballConferenceAtlantic Coast ConferenceRecord7–21 (3–11 ACC)Head coachAnnie Tribble (11th season)Home arenaLittlejohn ColiseumSeasons← 1985–861987–88 → The 1986–87 Clemson Tigers women's basketball team represented Clemson University during the 1986–87 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The Tigers were led by head coach Annie Tribble in her eleventh and final season. Th...
American baseball player For people with the same name, see James Maloney. Baseball player Jim MaloneyPitcherBorn: (1940-06-02) June 2, 1940 (age 83)Fresno, California, U.S.Batted: LeftThrew: RightMLB debutJuly 27, 1960, for the Cincinnati RedsLast MLB appearanceSeptember 21, 1971, for the California AngelsMLB statisticsWin–loss record134–84Earned run average3.19Strikeouts1,605 Teams Cincinnati Reds (1960–1970) California Angels (1971) Career highlight...
Frédéric JoussetFrédéric JoussetLahir3 Mei 1970 (umur 53)Paris, Republik Keempat PrancisKebangsaanPrancisAlmamaterHEC ParisPekerjaanPebisnisGelarChairman dan CEO, Webhelp Frédéric Jousset (lahir 3 Mei 1970) adalah seorang pengusaha dan dermawan Prancis. Dia adalah pendiri dan salah satu presiden Webhelp, sebuah perusahaan outsourcing bisnis yang berbasis di Prancis. Ia juga menjadi administrator Museum Louvre sejak Desember 2016.[1] Biografi Jousset adalah putra Marie-Laur...
Fotball Club MilsamiCalcio Segni distintivi Uniformi di gara Casa Trasferta Colori sociali Bianco, rosso Dati societari Città Orhei Nazione Moldavia Confederazione UEFA Federazione FMF Campionato Super Liga Fondazione 2005 Presidente Ilan Shor Allenatore Vladimir Gudev Stadio Complexul Sportiv Raional (C.S.R.) Orhei(2.539 posti) Sito web www.milsami.md/ Palmarès Titoli nazionali 1 Campionato moldavo Trofei nazionali 2 Coppe di Moldavia2 Supercoppe di Moldavia Dati aggiornati al 1...
Serie A 1931-1932 Competizione Serie A Sport Calcio Edizione 32ª (3ª di Serie A) Organizzatore Direttorio Divisioni Superiori Date dal 13 settembre 1931al 16 giugno 1932 Luogo Italia Partecipanti 18 Formula girone unico Risultati Vincitore Juventus(4º titolo) Retrocessioni BresciaModena Statistiche Miglior marcatore Pedro Petrone Angelo Schiavio (25 ex aequo) Incontri disputati 306 Gol segnati 949 (3,1 per incontro) I bianconeri al secondo scudetto consecutivo Cron...
Football tournamentBritish Home ChampionshipThe Jubilee Trophy, awarded from 1935 onward.Founded1884Abolished1984RegionBritish IslesNumber of teams4Last champions Northern Ireland (1983–84)Most successful team(s) England (54 titles) Mural in Belfast celebrating the three outright wins of the British Home Championship by (Northern) Ireland; five shared wins are ignored. The British Home Championship[a] (historically known as the British International Championship or simply...
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), sebelumnya dikenal sebagai National Naval Medical Center dan secara umum disebut Bethesda Naval Hospital, Walter Reed, atau Navy Med, adalah pusat medis militer Amerika Serikat yang terletak di Bethesda, Maryland. Ini merupakan salah satu pusat medis militer terbesar dan paling terkenal di negara ini dan telah memberikan perawatan medis untuk beberapa presiden Amerika Serikat sejak dibuka pada tahun 1940. Pada tahun 2011, Walter Reed Army...
1853 memoir by Solomon Northup This article is about the 1853 memoir. For other uses, see Twelve Years a Slave (disambiguation). Twelve Years a Slave Illustration from Twelve Years a Slave (1855)AuthorDavid WilsonCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishGenreAutobiography, slave narrativePublisherDerby & Miller, Auburn, New York[1]Publication date1853[2]Media typePrint (hardcover)ISBN978-1843914716Dewey Decimal301.45TextTwelve Years a Slave at Wikisource Twelve Years a Slav...
Constituency of the National Assembly of France 16th constituency of ParisinlineConstituency of the National Assembly of FranceParis, showing its post 2012 legislative constituenciesDeputySarah LegrainLFIDepartmentParisCantons19th arrondissement of Paris (part) Politics of France Political parties Elections Previous Next The 16th constituency of Paris is a French legislative constituency in Paris. From the 2012 election on, the constituency is in the North-East of the city, covering areas pre...
У Вікіпедії є статті про інших людей із прізвищем Косте.Паскаль КостеXavier Pascal Costeфр. Pascal Coste Паскаль Косте у 1859 році, малюнокНародження 29 листопада 1787(1787-11-29)МарсельСмерть 7 лютого 1879(1879-02-07) (91 рік)МарсельПоховання Цвинтар Сен-П'єр (Марсель)dКраїна ФранціяНавчання Націона�...
Major railway station in Sapporo, Japan This article is about the station of JR Hokkaido. For the station of Sapporo Municipal Subway, see Sapporo Station (Sapporo Municipal Subway). This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Sapporo Station – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2015) (Le...
This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. Please help improve it by replacing them with more appropriate citations to reliable, independent, third-party sources. (September 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Frank M. Bryan is a retired John G. McCullough Professor of Political Science at the University of Vermont. He is a noted local scholar, author and humorist, ha...