Frances Simpson (ca. 1857 - 1926) was an English writer, journalist, cat show judge, and cat breeder. She was a fervent supporter of blue Persians, which she promoted, notably by exhibiting her pair at the Crystal Palace,[1] and for having written The Book of the Cat (1903).
Frances Simpson | |
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 Simpson in 1910 | |
| Born | ca. 1857 Haughton-le-Skerne, County Durham, England |
| Died | January 19, 1926 Kensington, England |
| Other names | Possibly used pen names |
| Occupations |
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| Notable work |
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Early life
editCensus records show that Elizabeth Frances Ann Simpson was born in Haughton-le-Skerne, County Durham, England, around 1857. She was the third of six children born to the Reverend Robert James Simpson and his wife Mary Elizabeth, between 1853 and 1870. She was predeceased by her brother Robert Arthur, in 1853 and brother Harry W, in 1857, and followed by John Percy in 1861 and younger sisters Grace Helen Mary and Edith born in 1868 and 1870 respectively. Her father was listed as curate of Haughton-le-Skerne in the 1861 census.[2] In 1871, when she was 14, it is highly likely that she was already residing with her family in London, as it is known from her writings that she attended the first and most famous Crystal Palace Cat Show, held in Sydenham, London, in July 1871, organized and judged by Harrison Weir, then aged 47.
Career
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Simpson wrote numerous books and articles on cats, often used to trace feline history.[3] Simpson appears to have been subsidized mainly through her writing, including articles and commentaries in Fur and Feather and later, Our Cats, but also by other publishers, undoubtedly presenting herself as a rising expert on domestic felines and their many varieties. As a young judge active on the cat and cat show scene, this helped give her credence. By this time, she had behind her a number of best-selling publications, one of which had been reprinted, and was regularly producing specialist speeches on breed varieties for periodicals, such as Every woman's encyclopaedia,[4] in which she wrote about the manx,[5] Persian,[6] and others. She may also have written for a number of years under pseudonyms.
As a historian, she is cited for having seen the first cat shows at the Crystal Palace. Simpson was also a show director, a respected judge, and a mentor to new judges. Her books on cat breeding contained a wealth of advice on breeding, judging and show organization, as well as warnings to exhibitors who sent cats in unsuitable containers. She served on several club committees. She was a prolific writer and had an advice column in the weekly magazine Fur and Feather. She made copies of pedigrees for other breeders, corresponding with cat lovers in Britain and North America. She also exported Persians and encouraged other breeders to do the same, to the U.S. where cat breeding was in its infancy and quality breeding stock commanded considerable sums. She was honorary secretary of most of the early cat clubs, including the Blue Persian Society and the National Cat Club.[7]
Personal life
editShe died at Kensington, on January 19, 1926, aged 68.[2]
Selected works
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ Every woman's encyclopaedia. Vol. 2. London. 1910. p. 1295. Retrieved 4 December 2024 – via Internet Archive.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b "THE LIFE AND TIMES OF FRANCES SIMPSON". messybeast.com. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ Simpson, Frances (1903). The book of the cat. London, Paris, New York, Melbourne, Cassell and company, limited. Retrieved 4 December 2024. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Simpson, Frances, "Woman's pets"". Every woman's encyclopaedia. Vol. 1. London. 1910. p. 813. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Simpson, Frances "Woman's pets : Manx Cats"". Every woman's encyclopaedia. Vol. 6. London. 1910. p. 4177. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Simpson, Frances, "Silver Tabby Persians"". Every woman's encyclopaedia. Vol. 2. London. 1910. p. 935. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "The History Project: Frances A. Simpson". cat-o-pedia.org. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
