Mary Howitt (1799-1888) was one of the most prolific female writers and translators of her day, producing over a hundred titles in her lifetime. Held in high regard by her contemporaries, Howitt was best known for her Scandinavian interests, particularly for her translations of Frederika Bremer and Hans Christian Andersen. She also published numerous collections of poetry and stories, sometimes in partnership with her husband, the writer William Howitt. This two-volume autobiography was published posthumously in 1889 and was completed and edited by her daughter Margaret. Volume 1 covers the first half of Howitt's life: a Quaker childhood, marriage to William Howitt, and family life in Nottingham, Esher, and Heidelberg. Volume 2 describes her European travels, the deaths of two sons, the couple's increasing interest in spiritualism, and Mary's eventual conversion to Catholicism. For more information on this author, see http://orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=howima