1865-1944
Edith Henrietta Fowler, novelist, was born on 16 February 1865
at the house which is now 7 Summerfield Road, West Park, Wolverhampton. Her grandfather was
George Thorneycroft, successful ironmaster and first Mayor of
Wolverhampton. 
Her father, Henry Hartley Fowler,
a solicitor, also became a Member of the Council and Mayor,
before entering Parliament in 1880. His distinguished career led
him to being knighted and made First Lord Wolverhampton. He had a
large house built for the family at Wergs Road, Tettenhall,
called Woodthorne, to which they moved in1867. (This was later
demolished by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in
the 1970s.) Her sister, Ellen Thorneycroft
Fowler, was also a novelist.
Edith and her sister Ellen were educated mainly at home, and began to write at an early age. Contributions to magazines and periodicals were followed by Edith's first two novels, written from a children's level, The young pretenders in1895 and The professor's children in 1897. Two adult novels, both set mainly in rural areas, came next, A corner of the West in 1899 and The world and Winstow in 1901.
In 1903 Edith married the Minister of St George's Church, Wolverhampton, Reverend William Robert Hamilton, and he became Rector of Sutton Bonington, near Loughborough. They had two sons, Gavin Robert Fowler in 1905 and Henry Fowler Hew in 1908, but Edith returned home to Woodthorne for the births.
She found time to continue writing, and in 1905 produced the novel For richer for poorer, and in 1912 a biography of her father, who had passed away the year before. After a couple of moves to other churches, Robert retired and their main home for the rest of their life was Carrwood House, Overstrand, Norfolk, which had been built by Sir Henry Fowler for use by his family. Edith's last known published works were Patricia in 1915 and Christabel in 1921. She died on 18 November 1944, and is buried at St Martin's, Overstrand.
Edith had a strong faith, and her novels have a Christian outlook. The stories are quietly imaginative, but occasionally show the Fowler wit learned from her parents. Her biography of her father gives an insight into their family life and also the world of politics in the late 19th century.
© Anthony Perry
The young pretenders (1895)
The professor's children (1897)
Hugh's burden bundle (religious tract) (1897)
A corner of the West (1899)
The world and Winstow (1901)
For richer for poorer (1905)
Life of Henry Hartley Fowler (1912)
Patricia (1915)
Christabel (1921)
Further reading
The Fowler legacy (1997) by Anthony Perry
Ellen's Bournemouth years (2000) by Anthony Perry
Page created 17 April 2002 and last updated 28 October 2002
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