Dinah Craik's belief that 'a woman cannot too soon learn womanhood's best mission: usefulness, tenderness, and charity' may well be at odds with more robust views of female emancipation. Those disturbed by such a notion may seek refuge in her powerful characterization and the remarkable recreation of life in early nineteenth century England.
Dinah Maria Craik lived from 1826 to 1887 and wrote a wide variety of short stories, children's books, poems, and several novels.
John Halifax, Gentleman, is the work for which she is best remembered and it has remained a popular classic in the United Kingdom and North America.
Her literary success earned her a civil list pension but, in keeping with the theme of the novel, she asked for it to be distributed to authors who were less fortunate than herself.
