Angela Brazil

Angela Brazil was one of the earliest British writers of "modern schoolgirls' stories," which were written from the characters' perspectives and aimed primarily at pleasure rather than moral instruction. In the first half of the twentieth century, she published approximately 50 volumes of girls' fiction, the vast majority of which were about boarding schools. She also wrote numerous short stories for periodicals. Her writings were economically successful, popular among pre-adolescent girls, and...See more

Angela Brazil was one of the earliest British writers of "modern schoolgirls' stories," which were written from the characters' perspectives and aimed primarily at pleasure rather than moral instruction. In the first half of the twentieth century, she published approximately 50 volumes of girls' fiction, the vast majority of which were about boarding schools. She also wrote numerous short stories for periodicals. Her writings were economically successful, popular among pre-adolescent girls, and inspired them. Though interest in girls' school stories declined during World War II, her books remained popular until the 1960s. Angela Brazil was born on November 30, 1868, at her home, 1 West Cliff, Preston, Lancashire. She was the youngest child of Clarence Brazil, a mill manager, and Angelica McKinnel, the daughter of a Rio de Janeiro-based shipping line entrepreneur with a Spanish mother. Angela was the youngest of four siblings, including sister Amy and brothers Clarence and Walter. Her father, Clarence, was distant, rarely involved in his children's problems, and considered himself primarily as a provider for the family's material well-being and responsible for ensuring the children were properly trained in religious traditions. She began her schooling at Miss Knowle's Select Ladies School in Preston when she was four years old, but she only attended for a half day. See less