At fourteen, Catherine Sinclair (1800-1864) became her father’s secretary. Writing from dictation for long hours each day prepared her for a life spent creating stories. She published in a variety of genres including novels, children’s literature, devotional works, and travel guides. Holiday House: A Book for the Young, published in 1839, was lauded as one of the earliest books to showcase realistic children. Written initially to entertain her nieces and nephews, in the preface she says she wanted to create characters who are “that species of noisy, frolicsome, mischievous children, now almost extinct.” Beyond her published works, Catherine was a generous philanthropist whose charitable contributions to Edinburgh included instituting drinking fountains, cooking depots, and seats for crowded throughfares.
Hemelein Publications works:
- Mothers of Horror (2025)
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