Harriet Parr (1828–1900)

Harriet Parr, who wrote under the pseudonym Holme Lee, was born in York, England, the daughter of Mary and William Parr, a commercial traveler in luxury goods. She worked first as a governess before launching a literary career with her first novel, Maude Talbot, published in 1854. She owed her success in part to the enthusiasm of her mentor, Charles Edward Mudie, founder of the famous Mudie's Lending Library. Between 1854 and 1882, Miss Parr published some 30 novels. Charles Dickens praised her second book, Gilbert Massinger (1855), but thought it too long for his Household Words; he bought three of her stories for the Christmas editions of his magazines. Parr also wrote a biography of Joan of Arc and several volumes of fairy tales for children.

Her books sold well and were generally well reviewed in her lifetime, although she is now almost forgotten.