Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Bather, Lucy Elizabeth

1126284Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 03 — Bather, Lucy Elizabeth1885Arthur Henry Grant

BATHER, LUCY ELIZABETH (1836–1864), writer for children, known as ‘Aunt Elizabeth ,’ the fourth daughter, by his second marriage, of Dr. Blomfield, bishop of London, was born at Fulham, 31 March 1836. Her education, like that of her brothers and sisters, was watched, and even to some extent conducted, by their father, and she learned something of the classical languages (Memoir of Bishop Blomfield, ii. 225). On 29 Aug. 1861, Lucy Blomfield became the wife of Mr. Arthur Henry Bather, of Meol Brace, Shropshire, fourth son of John Bather, Esq., recorder of Shrewsbury. She died at The Hall, Meol Brace, near Shrewsbury, after a very short illness, on 5 Sept. 1864. She possessed the happy faculty of interesting the young by apt and attractive instruction, and wrote a number of stories for juvenile readers, and a volume entitled ‘Footprints on the Sands of Time. Biographies for Young People. Dedicated to her Nephews and Nieces, by L. E. B.,’ 12mo, Oxford and London, 1860. The Introduction, addressed to ‘My dear Young Friends,’ is subscribed ‘Aunt Lucy,’ the pseudonym by which the authoress was best known.

[Morning Post, 2 Sept. 1861; Record, 9 Sept. 1864; Gent. Mag. October 1864; Blomfield's Memoir of Charles James Blomfield, D.D., Bishop of London, &c., 1863.]

A. H. G.