At the Circulating Library

Author: Jennie Chappell

Author: Jennie Chappell (1857–1938)

Alternate Name(s): (pseudonym); Sarah Jane Chappell (legal name)

Biography: Sarah Jane Chappell was born on 3 July 1857 in Islington, the only daughter of merchant Stephen Chappell and Sarah Ann Gulling. She lived the majority of her life in Islington with her parents. By age sixteen, she was contributing stories to children's periodicals and became a published author in her early twenties with Ruby Leighton's Prize Essay (1879). She adopted the pseudonym "Jennie Chappell" during her career and there is some evidence that she also went by the name in public life (perhaps it was a nickname). According to her surviving diaries, she had a wide circle of friends, taught and performed music, and taught Sunday school at the charitable Gifford's Hall. She never married and earned her living by her pen. By Chappell's own account, she wrote eighty works of fiction for young adult readers. In addition, she wrote popular biographies of Helen Keller and other notable women. She retired from writing in her seventies and lived the last two years of her life in Bournemouth. She died there on 27 March 1938.

Author Tags:

• Educators

References: Bournemouth Times (1 April 1938); British Census (1871, 1881, 1891, 1911, 1921); Jennie Chappell's Diaries, 1873-85 (London School of Economics Archives); Literary Year-Book (1921); Probate

Fiction Titles:

1. Ruby Leighton's Prize Essay and Other Stories.  1 vol.  London: Sunday School Union, 1879.
2. What till it Blooms.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1885.
3. Oughts and Crosses.  1 vol.  London: J. F. Shaw, 1886.
4. Rooksnest Abbey, and Other Tales.  1 vol.  London: T. Woolmer, 1887.
5. Left Behind: or, A Summer in Exile.  1 vol.  London: J. F. Shaw, 1887.
6. Two Lilies, and Other Stories.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1887.
7. Crossed with Silver.  1 vol.  Edinburgh: W. P. Nimmo, 1888.
8. More Precious than Gold.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1889.
9. The Man of the Family, and Aurie's Gift.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1889.
10. Little Radiance: or, A Year in a Child's Life.  1 vol.  London: J. F. Shaw, 1889.
11. Heartsease and Morning Glories.  1 vol.  London: Charles H. Kelly, 1889.
12. A Goat-Boy Baronet: or, Cyril, the Landless Laird.  1 vol.  Edinburgh: W. P. Nimmo, 1889.
13. Berne's Bargain.  1 vol.  London: J. F. Shaw, 1889.
14. The Maltese Cross, and Other Tales.  1 vol.  Edinburgh: W. P. Nimmo, 1889.
15. Without a Thought: or, Dora's Discipline.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1890.
16. Dulcie Delight.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1890.
17. For Honour's Sake.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1890.
18. The Youngest Princess: or, Little Means to Big Ends.  1 vol.  London: Blackie, 1890.
19. Aubert: or, One Tiny Link.  1 vol.  Edinburgh: W. P. Nimmo, 1890.
20. Who was the Culprit?.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1891.
21. Hand in Hand: or, Radiance at Beechdale.  1 vol.  London: J. F. Shaw, 1891.
22. Ailsa's Reaping: or, Grape-Vines and Thorns.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1892.
23. For Elsie's Sake: or, A Seaside Friendship.  1 vol.  London: J. F. Shaw, 1892.
24. 'Neath April Skies: or, Hope Amid the Shadows.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1893.
25. Dorothy's Training: or, Wild-Flower or Weed?.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1893.
26. Losing and Finding: or, The Moonstone Ring.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1893.
27. Little Aunt Dorothy: Being the Experiences of a Small Girl.  1 vol.  London: Blackie, 1894.
28. Madeline: or, The Tale of a Haunted House.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1894.
29. Giddie Garland: or, The Three Mirrors.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1894.
30. Ted's Trust: or, Aunt Elmerley's Umbrella.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1895.
31. Ronald and Chryssie: or, The Mystery of the Lady Tower.  1 vol.  London: Blackie, 1895.
32. Carol's Gift: or, "What Time I am Afraid, I will Trust in Thee".  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1896.
33. Raymond's Rival: or, Which Will Win?.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1896.
34. My Friend Kathleen.  1 vol.  London: Blackie, 1896.
35. Sweet Kitty Clare.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1897.
36. Mistress of the Situation.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1897.
37. A Lady of High Degree.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1899.
38. The Mystery of Kittie-Boy.  1 vol.  London: Blackie, 1899.
39. Two Girls and a Dog.  1 vol.  London: Blackie, 1899.
40. A Little Ray of Sunshine.  1 vol.  Edinburgh: Nelson and Sons, 1900.
41. Mignonne: or, Miss Patricia's Pets.  1 vol.  London: Blackie, 1900.
42. Marley's Boy: or, "Out of Evil Cometh Good".  1 vol.  London: Sunday School Union, 1901.
43. Too Dearly Bought.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1901.
44. Bernard or Ben?.  1 vol.  London: Partridge, 1901.