Author: Bessie Radford
Author: Bessie Radford (1857–1931)
Alternate Name(s): May (maiden name); Mrs. C. H. Radford (familiar name)
Biography: Bessie Radford was born on 18 September 1857 in Devonport, the daughter of William May. In 1893, she married prosperous draper and local polititian Charles H. Radford and the couple does not appear to have had any children. Her husband would serve two terms as mayor of Plymouth among other positions. Radford wrote the single novel Jenny of the Villa (1900) which featured socialist characters, one being the daughter of a provincial mayor. Based on its themes, the author sent a presentation copy to George Gissing. Though the book was well received, Radford left off fiction. She died on 3 May 1931 in Plymouth.
References: British Census (1901, 1911); Probate; WWW
Fiction Titles:
- Jenny of the Villa. 1 vol. London: Edward Arnold, 1900.