Writing Black Beauty: Anna Sewell and the Story of Animal Rights

The novel "Black Beauty" was written by Anna Sewell, who was born in 1820 to a young Quaker couple and grew up in poverty in London. She developed an extraordinary empathy with horses and wrote the book after becoming terminally ill at the age of 51. It was published in 1877 and became one of the bestselling novels of all time, thanks to American activist George Thorndike Angell.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 20 July 2023
Publisher: The History Press Ltd

Black Beauty, a novel that has profoundly impacted our world, was written with the intention of instilling kindness in a Victorian audience that heavily relied on horses for transportation, travel, and power. Despite its age, it remains a cherished children's classic. The story behind the writing of Black Beauty revolves around the remarkable woman who penned this extraordinary book. Anna Sewell was born in 1820 to a young Quaker couple in London, growing up in poverty. At the age of 14, she suffered a devastating injury that left her permanently disabled, causing her to reject the limitations imposed by Victorian society on individuals with disabilities. However, her empathy for horses grew stronger, and she developed remarkable skills in riding side-saddle and driving a small carriage. Anna was a rebellious and independent-minded individual who departed from the Quaker movement as a young woman but maintained close friendships with the women writers and abolitionists who had been empowered by its liberal principles. It was only when she faced a terminal illness at the age of 51 that she embarked on the writing of her own book. Tragically, Anna passed away just five months later, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

After experiencing modest success in Britain, Black Beauty was embraced by American activist George Thorndike Angell, who transformed it into one of the bestselling novels of all time. Celia Brayfield, in her book, delves into the process by which Anna Sewell cultivated an extraordinary resilience to awaken the conscience of Victorian Britain and leave a lasting impact on the world. Through the use of newly discovered archive material, Brayfield sheds light on the remarkable journey of Anna Sewell, highlighting her unwavering determination and her ability to touch the hearts of readers across generations.

Weight: 528g
Dimension: 243 x 165 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803991641