Marianne north autobiography of mississippi

Born on this day in 1803, botanical artist and naturalist Marianne North’s adventurous life is well documented. Early childhood to the events that informed the later stages of her career are laid out in Recollections of a happy life, being the autobiography of Marianne North.

Through her personal account, we can gain insights into how her early life and relationships influenced her expansive artistic pursuits.

One insight made apparent early on in her autobiography is the close relationship with her father, Frederick North, whom she described as, “the one idol and friend of my life.” Marianne primarily spent winters with him along with the rest of her family in their family home in Hastings while moving between homes in the idyllic countryside of Lancashire and Rougham during the summers.

Spring was spent in London where she was introduced to family friend and then director of Kew Gardens, Sir William Hooker. As a child, she also