Jane Loudon
Person Female Born 19/8/1807 Died 13/7/1858
Author and pioneer of science fiction. Born near Birmingham as Jane Webb.
Wrote "The Mummy!: Or a Tale of the Twenty-Second Century" and published it in 1827, anonymously. This was reviewed favourably in The Gardener's Magazine by its editor, John Loudon. He contacted the author expecting to find a man, and within the year they married.
She developed an interest in her husband's field, gardening, and learnt by attending lectures given by John Lindley. She wrote a number of reference works, aimed at the newbie, in contrast to her husband's publications which were intended for those already well-informed. A self-taught artist she illustrated many of her works herself with botanical paintings of groups of flowers. She also assisted her husband with his work.
Her publications were successful and frequently reprinted. Her husband's publications, while aiming higher, were, overall, less financially successful, and the debts he left on his death in 1843 left her in financial hardship. Died at her Porchester Terrace home.
