Helen Raby 19th century journalist and author

Helen Raby 19th century journalist and author

by Maggie Jarman

In the mid 19th century, few middle-class women pursued careers outside the domestic sphere. However, the increasing number of quality periodicals and newspapers aimed at the female market offered educated women the possibility of a small income and a public voice through their writing. Helen (sometimes “Helena”) Eliza Raby, the granddaughter of the industrialist Alexander Raby, was a prolific journalist and author whose writing career began in women’s magazines but later expanded to include scientific and historic journals and the popular press.

LCH043