Born: February 2, 1745 (Bristol, England)
Biography:
Hannah More was an English religious writer, philanthropist, poet, and playwright who made significant contributions to the literary and social landscape of her time. Born on February 2, 1745, in Bristol, she was the fourth of five daughters of Jacob More, a schoolmaster and excise officer. Early on, she displayed a keen intellect and a passion for learning, receiving an education from her father and older sisters. Her linguistic skills expanded as she conversed with French prisoners of war during the Seven Years’ War.
In 1758, Jacob established a girls’ boarding school in Bristol, where Hannah became a pupil at the age of twelve. After teaching there in her early adulthood, she eventually gave up her share in the school to pursue marriage with William Turner of the Belmont Estate in Somerset, whom she had met through her cousins. However, after six years of engagement without a set wedding date, the engagement was broken off in 1773. This disappointment led to a nervous breakdown, and Hannah sought refuge and recuperation in Uphill, near Weston-super-Mare.
Freed from the constraints of her broken engagement, Hannah More received a £200 annuity from Turner as compensation. This financial independence allowed her to focus on her literary pursuits, which she had begun at an early age. Her writing career gained momentum, and she soon became involved in the London literary elite, establishing connections with prominent figures such as Samuel Johnson, Joshua Reynolds, and David Garrick.
Throughout her career, More’s works centered on moral and religious subjects, reflecting her deeply-held Christian beliefs. Initially, she wrote plays, but her later works shifted towards a more evangelical tone. She joined the Bluestocking circle, a group of intellectual women who engaged in literary and social discussions. More’s participation in this group solidified her role as a leading Bluestocking member.
In the 1790s, More took an active stance against the slave trade. Influenced by her Christian principles and her growing social awareness, she joined a group of abolitionists and began writing the ‘Cheap Repository Tracts.’ These tracts were pamphlets addressing moral, religious, and political issues, intended for distribution to the literate poor. More’s motivation in writing these tracts was partly a response to Thomas Paine’s influential work ‘The Rights of Man.’ Through her tracts, More aimed to provide an alternative perspective that challenged Paine’s ideas.
As her career progressed, More expanded her involvement in educational endeavors. Alongside her sister Martha, she founded schools in rural Somerset, which, although limited the education of poor children to reading, refrained from teaching them how to write. This decision was born out of More’s belief that focusing solely on reading would enable these children to gain moral and religious instruction while keeping them from developing radical political ideas.
Hannah More’s political beliefs were known for their conservatism, which led to her being labeled an anti-feminist, a conservative feminist, and even a counter-revolutionary. Her strong opposition to the French Revolution aligned her with conservative movements in Britain. Although she might not have been aligned with the emerging feminist movement of her time, her work and influence cannot be overlooked when considering the contributions of women in history.
Throughout her life, More faced numerous challenges and struggles. But her dedication to her faith, her passion for learning, and her commitment to improving society fueled her relentless pursuit of literary and philanthropic endeavors. Her work as a writer, educator, and abolitionist left an indelible mark on the intellectual, cultural, and social landscape of her time.