Norwich

Elizabeth Bentley was a highly respected poet in her day but is now largely forgotten. She was born in Norwich in 1767 - the only child of Daniel and Mary Bentley. When she was 10 years old her father, who was a shoemaker and journeyman, suffered a stroke which left him paralysed him down one side.

Elizabeth Bentley

Elizabeth Bentley Plaque

St Stephen's Square, Norwich

However, Daniel Bentley still had the use of his right hand and taught his daughter to read and write. Later in life she would run a small boarding school.

Soon after her father's death in 1783 Elizabeth began writing poetry. Her early work was influenced by Alexander Pope, John Milton and Oliver Goldsmith and was published in the Norfolk Chronicle. She soon came to the attention of the United Friars - a group set up in 1785 to further the arts and sciences and whose members included Bartlett Gurney, the architect. This group secured a list of subscribers for her and a volume of her work was published in 1791.

Her subjects included: anti-slavery pieces, poems about royal deaths, poems about Norwich citizens, cruelty to animals, education and also the new Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. For many years she lived at St Stephen's Square - close to the hospital. Here is her poem:
 

Descending, here she fix'd her gracious seat;
    When Indigence the shaft of Pain receives,
Her hand conducts him to this blest retreat,
    Here soothes his anguish, and each woe relieves.

Here sage Professors of the healing art,
    Whose souls divine Benevolence inspires;
Their time employ, their wealth, their skill impart,
    Before whose eyes Death, with slow step, retires.

The halpless wretch to dire Disease a prey,
    From his untimely fate they kindly save;
With friendly hand each healing balm convey,
    And snatch the body from the gaping grave.

With equal care they teach the soul to trace
    Those regions for her future life design'd;
Expand the thoughts beyond earth's narrow space,
    And raise from dark Despair th' immortal mind.

Hail, sacred fabric! gen'rous mortals hail!
    By Charity inspir'd, these walls you fram'd;
Where'er her sway shall o'er the world prevail,
    Shall your unfading honours be proclaim'd.

In 1821, a second volume was published entitled: Poems being the Genuine Compositions of Elizabeth Bentley.

One of her most successful poems was a celebration of Nelson's victory at Trafalgar  - An Ode on the Glorious Victory over the French & Spanish Fleets, on the 21st October 1805 and the Death of Lord Nelson. Here is a verse:
 

Links:

Genuine Poetical Compositions