Author, Ann Thwaite in her biography, ‘Emily Tennyson: The Poet’s Wife’ explains how Jack and the
Beanstalk came to be, “In these
difficult months after Lionel’s death, Emily had been comforted and cheered by
Lionel’s boys, who spent much of their time with their grandmother. She read to
them Hallam’s version of Jack and the
Beanstalk in English hexameters which he had dedicated to his nephews. It
was supposed to be a sumptuous picture book, in full colour illustrated by
Randolph Caldecott, but had appeared with only some preliminary sketches, for
Caldecott had died that winter, aged thirty-nine, just two months before
Lionel. “
To read an interesting biography on Hallam Tennyson, Australian Dictionary of Biography
To read Jack and the Beanstalk yourself online, archive
To read my article about Hallam Tennyson and his life as Baron in Australia, Harold Courtenay Tennyson
2 comments:
What terrible pain people had to endure. "Caldecott had died that winter, aged thirty-nine, just two months before Lionel.“ I know people HAD to endure and survive themselves, but how did they cope with the loss of their beloved family at such young ages?
I was talking about this exact issue yesterday. One of my favourite Edwardian artists, Hugh Ramsay 1877–1906, had a brilliant career ahead of him. He was sick for 4 years (TB?) then died in his late 20s.
Hi Hels, I know isn't it just so sad! I don't know how they coped probably same as we do now but I know what you mean! I don't know much of Hugh Ramsay's paintings but I've seen Lady in Blue and I really like it. There were many sick painters now that I think about it. Thanks so much for stopping by.
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