Susanna (Strickland) Moodie was one of the most important writers in nineteenth-century Canada, and her autobiographical narrative

Roughing It in the Bush

(1852) is considered a classic account of emigrant life. Her genteel background and upbringing left her entirely unprepared for the hardships of the Canadian backwoods. She was born in 1803, the last of the six daughters of an affluent English businessman, Thomas Strickland. In 1808, after the birth of Susanna's two younger brothers, her father purchased Reydon Hall, an Elizabethan manor house near Southwold in Suffolk. He and his wife Elizabeth educated their children there, stressing self-discipline and industry, but permitting activities such as amateur theatricals and poetry writing.

The financial reversals and early death of Thomas

1932 words

Citation: Hammill, Faye. "Susanna Moodie". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 17 July 2001 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=3169, accessed 19 March 2024.]

3169 Susanna Moodie 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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