Mrs Henry Wood

Bessy Rane (Dodo Press) Mrs Henry Wood

Mrs. Ellen Wood (née Price) (1814-1887), was an English novelist, better known as "Mrs. Henry Wood". She was born at Worcester. She wrote over 30 novels, many of which enjoyed remarkable popularity. Among the best known of her stories are Danesbury House (1860), East Lynne (1861), The Channings (1862), Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles (1862), The Shadow of Ashlydyat (1863), Verner's Pride (1863), Oswald Cray (1864) and Lord Oakburn's Daughters (1864). For many years, she worked as the proprietor and editor of the Argosy. Her most popular novel, East Lynne was a Victorian bestseller and is still sometimes performed as a drama. It is remembered chiefly for its elaborate and implausible plot, centering on double identity and bigamy. Other works include: Elster's Folly (1866), Johnny Ludlow (1868-89), Anne Hereford (1868), Bessy Rane (1870), Our Children (1876) and Lady Adelaide (1879).