Martha Savory Yeardley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Martha Savory 8 March 1781 London |
| Died | 8 May 1851 (aged 70) |
| Resting place | Stoke Newington, Middlesex |
| Pen name | Mrs Savory; M. Savory; M. Yeardley; M. Y.; Mrs Smith |
| Occupation | minister, missionary, poet, travel & educational writer |
| Language | English |
| Years active | 1805-1848 |
| Spouse | John Yeardley |
 Literature portal | |
Martha Yeardley (née Savory, March 8, 1781 – May 8, 1851) was an English poet, Quaker minister, and author of educational works and travel literature.
Martha Savory Yeardley was born in London on 8 March 1781 to Anna and Joseph Savory, the latter a Quaker goldsmith. She had two sisters and a brother, and three half-sisters from her father's second marriage to Mary Pryor after the death of Anna Savory in or around 1785. At one point, she and her siblings lived in Pentonville across the road from Charles Lamb.[1] She was educated "at Frenchay"[2] where many Quaker merchants were established. Her family's financial resources have been described as "ample."[3] She published her first work, Inspiration, a Poetical Essay, in 1805, followed by two other poetry collections before the end of the decade. She became committed to Quaker ministry and undertook "gospel tours" in Europe. In 1824 on one such tour she met her future husband, John Yeardley (1786-1858), and married him in 1826. Over the twenty-five years of their partnership, the couple made five further tours (1827-28, 1828-33, 1833-34, 1842-43, and 1843-50). During the fourth tour, Yeardley established a school for girls in Corfu.[4] Yeardley continued to publish poetry, as well as various works co-authored with her husband,[1] often with William Darton, a Quaker publisher particularly known for children's titles.[5] In addition to these substantive publications, the Yeardley's co-authored a series of fourteen tracts for use in their missionary work.[6] Martha Yeardley was the "driving force of the [couple's] literary partnership," according to one commentator.[7] "Worn out with travel,"[8] she died on 8 May, 1851.[9]
