Occupation Writer and nun Partner none Language English Name Maria Rossetti | Nationality British Role Author Spouse none Grandparents Gaetano Polidori | |
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Born 17 February 1827
London, England ( 1827-02-17 ) Notable works The Shadow of Dante: Being an essay towards studying himself, his world, and his pilgrimage. Died November 24, 1876, London, United Kingdom Books A shadow of Dante, Exercises in Idiomatic Italian Through Literal Translation from the English Parents Gabriele Rossetti, Frances Polidori Siblings Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Christina Rossetti, William Michael Rossetti Similar People Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Michael Rossetti, Christina Rossetti, Gabriele Rossetti, Elizabeth Siddal | ||
Maria Francesca Rossetti (17 February 1827 – 24 November 1876) was an English author. She was the sister of artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti as well as William Michael Rossetti and Christina Georgina Rossetti, who dedicated her 1862 poem Goblin Market to Maria. She was born in London.
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Literary and religious life
She was the author of The Shadow of Dante: Being an essay towards studying himself, his world, and his pilgrimage. (published 1871). She also acted as a governess during the years of family hardship brought on by her father's failing health and tutored a young Lucy Madox Brown, her future sister-in-law.
At the age of 46, Maria joined the Society of All Saints, an Anglican order for women and Lucy Madox Brown wanted to paint her in her habit. She made an English translation of the Monastic Diurnal for her order, The Day Hours and Other Offices as Used by the Sisters of All Saints, which was used by her order until 1922. She, along with her sister Christina, donated her time to the St. Mary Magdalene Home for Fallen Women in Highgate. She unsuccessfully attempted to convert her agnostic brothers on her death bed.
Personal life
Her siblings teased her about her plain appearance, nicknaming her 'Moony' for her rounded face. Maria never married. She was a friend of John Ruskin, having visited his home at Denmark Hill, and at 28 she developed romantic feelings for him after his marriage was annulled.
Death
Maria died of ovarian cancer in 1876, despite drawn-out treatments to try to drain the tumour. She was buried in the convent plot at Brompton Cemetery.