Regina Maria Roche
Encyclopedia
Regina Maria Roche is considered today to be a minor Gothic novelist who wrote very much in the shadow of Ann Radcliffe
. She was, however, a best seller in her own time. The popularity of her third novel, The Children of the Abbey, rivaled that of Ann Radcliffe
’s The Mysteries of Udolpho
.
The Children of the Abbey
was one of the period’s most popular novels, a sentimental Gothic Romance. Her book, Clermont
¸ was Roche’s only real attempt at writing a truly Gothic novel, and is decidedly darker in tone than anything else she wrote. Both novels went through several editions and were translated into both French
and Spanish
. Clermont was one of the Northanger Horrid Novels
satirized by Jane Austen
in her novel Northanger Abbey
.
She was born in Waterford
in 1764, moving to Dublin as a child and then to England
in 1794 after her marriage. Her first two novels were published under her maiden name before the success of The Children of the Abbey and Clermont. Both were translated into French and Spanish and went through several editions. After her fifth novel, The Nocturnal Visit, was published in 1800 however, Roche suffered financial difficulties after falling foul of a duplicitous solicitor and did not write again until 1807, after she received aid from the Royal Literary Fund
. She wrote 11 more novels, mostly set in the rural Ireland she returned to in the 1820s, but none matched her earlier successes and after suffering bouts of depression she died in relative obscurity in the town of her birth at the age of 81. http://extra.shu.ac.uk/corvey/corinne/1Roche/Roche%20biography.htm
Her obituary in The Gentleman's Magazine
remembers her as a ‘distinguished writer (who) had retired from the world and the world had forgotten her. But many young hearts, now old must remember the effect upon them of her graceful and touching compositions.’
Ann Radcliffe
Anne Radcliffe was an English author, and considered the pioneer of the gothic novel . Her style is romantic in its vivid descriptions of landscapes, and long travel scenes, yet the Gothic element is obvious through her use of the supernatural...
. She was, however, a best seller in her own time. The popularity of her third novel, The Children of the Abbey, rivaled that of Ann Radcliffe
Ann Radcliffe
Anne Radcliffe was an English author, and considered the pioneer of the gothic novel . Her style is romantic in its vivid descriptions of landscapes, and long travel scenes, yet the Gothic element is obvious through her use of the supernatural...
’s The Mysteries of Udolpho
The Mysteries of Udolpho
The Mysteries of Udolpho, by Ann Radcliffe, was published in four volumes on 8 May 1794 by G. G. and J. Robinson of London. The firm paid her £500 for the manuscript. The contract is housed at the University of Virginia Library. Her fourth and most popular novel, The Mysteries of Udolpho follows...
.
The Children of the Abbey
The Children of the Abbey
The Children of the Abbey is a novel by the Irish romantic novelist Regina Maria Roche . It first appeared in 1796, in London in 4 volumes, and related the tale of Amanda and Oscar Fitzalan, two young people in love who are robbed of their rightful inheritance by a forged will...
was one of the period’s most popular novels, a sentimental Gothic Romance. Her book, Clermont
Clermont (novel)
Clermont is a Gothic novel by Regina Maria Roche. It was first published in 1798 by the sensationalist Minerva Press.- Plot :Clermont relates the story of the beautiful Madeline, who lives in seclusion with her eponymous father until they are visited by a mysterious Countess from Clermont's...
¸ was Roche’s only real attempt at writing a truly Gothic novel, and is decidedly darker in tone than anything else she wrote. Both novels went through several editions and were translated into both French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
. Clermont was one of the Northanger Horrid Novels
Northanger Horrid Novels
The Northanger Horrid Novels are seven early works of Gothic fiction recommended by Isabella Thorpe to Catherine Morland in Jane Austen's novel Northanger Abbey :*Clermont, a Tale by Regina Maria Roche. London: Minerva Press....
satirized by Jane Austen
Jane Austen
Jane Austen was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics.Austen lived...
in her novel Northanger Abbey
Northanger Abbey
Northanger Abbey was the first of Jane Austen's novels to be completed for publication, though she had previously made a start on Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. According to Cassandra Austen's Memorandum, Susan was written approximately during 1798–99...
.
She was born in Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
in 1764, moving to Dublin as a child and then to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1794 after her marriage. Her first two novels were published under her maiden name before the success of The Children of the Abbey and Clermont. Both were translated into French and Spanish and went through several editions. After her fifth novel, The Nocturnal Visit, was published in 1800 however, Roche suffered financial difficulties after falling foul of a duplicitous solicitor and did not write again until 1807, after she received aid from the Royal Literary Fund
Royal Literary Fund
The Royal Literary Fund is a benevolent fund set up to help published British writers in financial difficulties. It was founded by Reverend David Williams in 1790 and has received bequests and donations, including royal patronage, ever since...
. She wrote 11 more novels, mostly set in the rural Ireland she returned to in the 1820s, but none matched her earlier successes and after suffering bouts of depression she died in relative obscurity in the town of her birth at the age of 81. http://extra.shu.ac.uk/corvey/corinne/1Roche/Roche%20biography.htm
Her obituary in The Gentleman's Magazine
The Gentleman's Magazine
The Gentleman's Magazine was founded in London, England, by Edward Cave in January 1731. It ran uninterrupted for almost 200 years, until 1922. It was the first to use the term "magazine" for a periodical...
remembers her as a ‘distinguished writer (who) had retired from the world and the world had forgotten her. But many young hearts, now old must remember the effect upon them of her graceful and touching compositions.’