Edith Anna Somerville

Edith Anna Œnone Somerville (May 2, 1858 – October 8, 1949) was an Irish novelist who habitually signed herself as "E. Œ. Somerville". She wrote in collaboration with her cousin "Martin Ross" (Violet Martin) under the pseudonym, "Somerville and Ross". Together they published a series of fourteen stories and novels, the most popular of which were "The Real Charlotte", and "The Experiences of an Irish R. M.", published in 1899.

Born on Corfu, the eldest of eight children, Somerville grew up in Drishane, County Cork. She received her primary education at home, later studying art in Paris in 1884 and at the Royal Westminster School of Art in London.

Following Martin's death in 1915, Somerville continued to write as "Somerville and Ross", claiming that they were still in contact through a spiritualist séances.

She had exhibitions of her pictures in Dublin and in London between 1920-38; and was active as an illustrator of children's picture books and sporting picture books. Somerville was a devoted sportswoman who, in 1903 became master of the West Carbery Foxhounds. She was also active in the suffragist movement, corresponding with Dame Ethel Smyth.

She died at age 91 in Castletownshend, County Cork.

Bibliography

Collaborative novels

*"An Irish Cousin" (1889)
*"Naboth's Vineyard" (1891)
*"In the Vine Country" (1893)
*"Through Connemara in a Governess Cart" (1893)
*"The Real Charlotte" (1894)
*"Beggars on Horseback" (1895)
*"The Silver Fox" (1897)
*"Some Experiences of an Irish R. M." (1899)
*"A Patrick's Day Hunt" (1902)
*"All on the Irish Shore" (1903)
*"Further Experiences of an Irish R.M." (1908)
*"Dan Russell the Fox" (1911)
*"In Mr Knox's Country" (1915)

olo novels

*"Irish Memories" (1917)
*"Mount Music" (1919)
*"The Big House at Inver" (1925)
*"The States through Irish Eyes" (1930)
*"An Incorruptible Irishman" (1932)
*"The Sweet Cry of Hounds" (1936)
*"The Death of the Heart" (1938)
*"Sarah's Youth" (1938)
*"The Heat of the Day" (1949)
*"Maria and Some Other Dogs" (1949)

External links

* [http://www.qub.ie/directorates/InformationServices/TheLibrary/FileStore/Filetoupload,51444,en.pdf The E. OE. Somerville and Martin Ross Exhibition]
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