Sarah Stickney Ellis

The Daughters of England. (1842) by Sarah Stickney Ellis

Sarah Stickney Ellis (1799-16 June 1872) was a Quaker turned Congregationalist who was the author of numerous books, mostly written about women's role(s) in society. She argued that it was the religious duty of women, as daughters, wives, and mothers, to provide the influence for good that would improve society. Particularly well-known are The Wives of England, The Women of England, The Mothers of England, and The Daughters of England, also her more directly educational works such as Rawdon House and Education of the Heart: Women's Best Work. Related to her principal literary theme of moral education for women, she established Rawdon House in Hertfordshire; a school for young ladies intended to apply the principles illustrated in her books to the "moral training, the formation of character, and in some degree the domestic duties of young ladies.,"