Ellen Wood (1814-1887)

Ellen Wood (née Price) was an English novelist better known as Mrs Henry Wood. She began her writing career submitting short stories to the 'New Monthly Magazine' edited by William Harrison Ainsworth. Several of her books, which were extremely popular during her lifetime, were sensation novels and works of supernatural fiction. Her best known novel is 'East Lynne' published in 1861. She purchased and contributed to the magazine 'Argosy' in 1867 and remained as its editor until her death in 1887. Her large sarcophagal tomb in Highgate Cemetery is perhaps one of the most impressive ones built there. 

"I cannot but regret that they did not accept my offer

of the advance monthly sheets of “the Shadow of

Ashlydyat. It is an excellent story…” 

In her letter dated April 1860, Mrs Henry Wood discusses the publication in America by Harper & Bros. of several of her recent novels and stories including one which she states is forthcoming although she appears unsure of which title it is that Harper & Bros. made an offer for. Included among the titles she mentions are 'The Channings', 'Mrs Haliburton's Troubles', 'Verner's Pride', 'The Shadow of Ashlydyat' and 'East Lynne'. Sampson Low acted as the British literary agent and bookseller for American publishers Harper & Bros. 

View Ellen Wood's letter [opens in a new window]

Image Rights: By Joseph Sydney Willis Hodges. Worcester Guildhall https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/