Charles Kingsley, his Letters and Memories of his Life

Charles Kingsley (1819–75) is best remembered today as the author of the children's morality tale The Water Babies. This biography, written by his wife and published in 1877, draws on his letters to describe a man who saw his faith as being central to his life not only as an Anglican priest, but also as a historian, novelist and supporter of social reform. The two-volume work gives insights into the concerns and preoccupations of the intellectual classes of the mid-Victorian period. In Volume 2, Fanny Kingsley gives passionate support to her husband in the notorious controversy with J. H. Newman, provoked by an article in Macmillan's Magazine. Also included is an account of a tour of France, and letters in support of women's suffrage. In summing up his life, his wife writes, 'Many of his dreams – social, sanitary, and others – improbable as they seemed at the time, have been realised …'.