Author: Jessie Kerr Lawson
Author: Jessie Kerr Lawson (1838–1917)
Alternate Name(s): Hugh Airlie (pseudonym)
Biography: Jessie Kerr Lawson was born on 18 May 1838. Her parentage is a bit mysterious, as both seemed to have died soon after her birth (she may have been illegitimate). She was raised by her maternal grandfather and aunt in St Monans, Fife. She worked briefly as a teacher before dedicating herself to writing, notably verse, journalism, and fiction. For some of this work, she used the pseudonym "Hugh Airlie." In 1860, she married ship builder and carpenter William Lawson and the couple would have ten children. Her husband suffered poor health after enduring a shipwreck (though there is no certainty he was in a shipwreck). The family emigrated to Canada in 1866 where Lawson continued writing to support the family. She died on 30 July 1917 in Toronto.
Author Tags:
References: pers inf (Caroline Morton)
Fiction Titles:
- A Vain Sacrifice. 1 vol. London: Oliphant, 1892.
- Dr. Bruno's Wife: A Toronto Society Story. 1 vol. London: Simpkin, 1893.
- Euphie Lyn: or, The Fishers of Old Inweerie. 1 vol. London: Oliphant, 1893.
- The Curse that Came Home. 1 vol. London: Oliphant, 1894.
- A Fair Rebel. 1 vol. London: W. C. Leng and Company, 1899.
- Miss Nero. 1 vol. London: Simpkin, 1899.
- William Marah. 1 vol. London: Simpkin, 1900.