Biography Sketch: Anne Steele | Teen Ink

Biography Sketch: Anne Steele

April 19, 2021
By CathrynWrites SILVER, Memphis, Tennessee
CathrynWrites SILVER, Memphis, Tennessee
6 articles 0 photos 0 comments

Favorite Quote:
To live would be an awfully big adventure.


Anne Steele was born to Anne Froude Steele and William Steele in 1716 in Broughton England. Her father was a timber merchant, and was also a Baptist preacher for over 60 years. Anne’s mother, also named Anne, died in childbirth when Anne was just three years of age. Her father married Anne Cator in 1723, when Anne was seven years old. 

Anne lived at Broughton House her whole life. She and her half-sister Mary went to an Anglican boarding school together. They became the best of friends and began to write poetry together. 

Anne was thrown off a horse at age 19. After the accident, her health began to deteriorate. As a result, she became subject to a chronic case of malaria. She became engaged to a young man named Robert Elcomb when she was 21 years of age. But Robert drowned in an accident before the wedding day. She wrote the hymn “Father Whate’er of Earthly Bliss” as a response to this tragic event.

In 1760, a publisher approached Anne about publishing her work. Anne was reluctant to publish her poems. But she did change her mind and published them under the name Theodosia and desired that all the profits go to charity. The first volume of her work was poems and hymns. Later, she published another volume containing psalms and poems. 

Meanwhile, the malaria continued to weaken Anne, leaving her confined to her bed for the last six years of her life. She continued writing poetry and hymns until her death on November 11, 1778. She was buried in Saint Mary’s churchyard, Broughton, Hampshire, England beside her parents.

In 1780 an editor named Caleb Evans republished the two volumes under Anne’s name. He also published, as a third volume of her work, a collection of poems she had written. Her hymns have been published in several hymnals in the 19th and 20th century.


The author's comments:

I love Anne Stelee's hymns. She is an inspiring lady to me because, although she suffered physical illness and emotional heartbreak, she still trusted in the Lord. 


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Lydiaq ELITE said...
on Apr. 26 2021 at 9:50 pm
Lydiaq ELITE, Somonauk, Illinois
179 articles 54 photos 1026 comments

Favorite Quote:
The universe must be a teenage girl. So much darkness, so many stars.<br /> --me

This is fascinating! I have never heard of this incredible lady before. She shows you that adversity can't stop you from being a beautiful person and making beauty out of that pain. You are really talented at writing biographies. I can't wait to see if you'll have published more.