A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Jewsbury, Geraldine E.
JEWSBURY, GERALDINE E.,
Is a younger sister of the late Mrs. Fletcher, who always highly estimated her abilities, and prophesied for her a career even more successful than her own. "Zoe, on the History of Two Lives," published in 1845, was the first work which drew public attention towards its author. It exhibits great power and originality, but contrasts strongly in its tone of feverish excitement, and passionate unrest, with the calmness and symplicity which characterizes Miss Jewsbury's later works. These are "The Half Sisters," a tale published in 1848; "Marian Withers," a story of middle class life in the manufacturing districts; "The History of an Adopted Child," a book for young people, issued in 1852; and another novel entitled "Constance Herbert," in which is inculcated the duty of self-sacrifice to prevent the extension of hereditary insanity.