Hannah More

1745–1833

Hannah More was a well known writer and philanthropist in 18th century Britain. She got her start by writing pastoral plays for the girls school that she attended with her four sisters. One of her plays, entitled The Search after Happiness was published when she was only eighteen, and was moderately successful. After a failed engagement, she went to London and due to her charm and talent won the attention of the literary circle there. Some of her friends and patrons included David Garrick, the well known actor, Joshua Reynolds, the painter, and Samuel Johnson, the most eminent literary man of his age. She wrote several other plays over the next few years, and enjoyed reasonable acclaim.

In 1785 she started on a second career of philanthropic ventures, mainly centered on providing free schools and education to the children of the minors of Somersetshire. She established several schools and used her connections to fund them, in spite of some resistance by local churches and farmers. She wrote political tract encouraging the government funding of schools before the idea was popular, and as a result was criticized when the French revolution broke out, for sympathizing with the rebels. She spent most of the rest of her life promoting education, and attempting to help the poor.

Key events during the life of Hannah More:

Year	Event
1745	Birth of Hannah More
1757	Attending boarding school with older sisters.
1762	Published The Search after Happiness, a pastoral play for young ladies.
1773	Traveled to London, and became acquainted with David Garrick.
1777	Wrote Percy, a play that was acted out in Covent Garden
1779	Death of her patron, David Garrick.
1782	Published Sacred Dramas
1785	Established a school for the children of miners in Somersetshire.
1792	Published Village Politics urging government to help the poor.
	Criticized during the French Revolutionary wars for supporting the revolution.
1800	Established twelves schools where the children of poor were taught to read and right.
1833	Death of Hannah More

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
Hannah More  in	Great Englishwomen  by  M. B. Synge

Contemporary	Short Biography
Sir Joshua Reynolds	Prominant British painter who specialized in portraits and historical scenes.
David Garrick	Highly influential stage-actor of 18th century Britain.
William Wilberforce	Influential abolitionist who led the fight to outlaw slavery in all of Britain's territories.
Samuel Johnson	Eminent literary figure in England. Wrote the first British Dictionary.
Edmund Burke	Very influential Political Philosopher, whose works are a basis of constitutional law.
Patty More	Sister of Hannah who shared in her philanthropic efforts.