Maria Abdy (1797–1867)

Maria Abdy, née Smith, was born in London, England, the younger sister of the poet Horace Smith. In 1821, she married the Reverend J. Channing Abdy. She began writing poetry in childhood, and was encouraged to contribute poetry to periodicals such as the New Monthly Magazine and the Metropolitan, as well as annuals such as The Keepsake and the Book of Beauty. Some of her work was published under the initials M.A. Her first book, Poetry, was published privately in 1834 and was followed by seven others, written over a 24-year period. Her longest poem, An Appeal on Behalf of Governesses, appeared before 1856. Her work is characterized by a light feminist slant and witty satirical humor, and she is now considered a major female poet of the Romantic and early Victorian periods.