Writing Lives – Collaborative Research Project on Working-Class Autobiography

May Jones (born 1893): Researching Writing Lives

Being part of the Writing Lives Collaborative Research Project has been an interesting and unique experience. I saw this an opportunity to bring together skills and an interest in nineteenth century history that I have gained from doing a Joint Honours degree in History and English. I was apprehensive about …

Jean Court: Researching Writing Lives

When I originally chose Writing Lives for one of my final year modules, I had no idea what to expect. Initially, I had presumed we would have to write about a famous authour, but I am so glad we did not, because instead, I got to write about a woman …

Jean Court: Fun and Festivities

Within Jean’s memoir, she is consistent in describing all the fun and festivities in which she and her family had and attended. …

Jean Court: Habits and Beliefs

Within Jean’s memoir, she often speaks of church. Her mother ‘always attended St. Mary Redcliffe and would slip out of the house …

Jean Court: Illness, Health and Disability

Within Jean Court’s memoir, health and illness are two main themes. She speaks of her family’s brushes with death as well as …

Jean Court: Life and Labour

‘All the ironing, washing up and pastry making were done on the wooden kitchen table, scrubbed every day until it was almost …

Jean Court: Education and Schooling (Part 2)

‘The school was intended for delicate children and the teachers were gentle and encouraging.’ (p. 10) Following her difficulties at school, Jean …

Jean Court: Education and Schooling (Part 1)

‘Mary found her schooldays quite acceptable but I did not.’ (p. 6) Within Jean Court’s memoir, education and schooling are two recurrent …

Dorothy Squires (1897-1992): Biographical Entry

2:735 SQUIRES, Dorothy, Untitled, MS, pp.142 (c.18,000 words). Brunel University Library. Born 13 April 1897 at Waltham Cross. 4th child of 7 …

May Jones: Education and Schooling

“I loved going to school and cried a bit when no one was looking.” May Jones’s memoir is about her life growing …