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| matilda_m-p [2025/04/26 21:36] – [Family circle] judith | matilda_m-p [2025/04/29 21:43] (current) – judith |
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| Given her father's love of poetry and lack of desire to tackle alternative employment, it is understandable that numerous writers have assumed that Thomas was the brother of the prominent colonial poet, Charles Harpur. Additionally, Matilda also was a talented writer, though her talent was used mainly used to educate her children to appreciate English literature and history. Charles Harpur, like Matilda, was also to die of tuberculosis.((http://www.middlemiss.org/matilda/2009/10/reprint-obituary-the-late-mr-charles-harpur.html)) However, a shared surname appears the only traceable family connection.((Patricia Clarke, 'Rosa Praed's Irish Connections', //The Australian Journal of Irish Studies//, vol. 1, 2001, p.119; Patricia Clarke, The //Other// Harpur, Or, How I stumbled across an unknown Colonial Poet', //National Library of Australia News// Vol. 8, no. 6, March 1889, pp.18-21.)) None who assert that Charles and Thomas Harpur were brothers have provided any evidence of the supposed relationship. Thomas Harpur was born in Ireland in 1797, migrating to Australia in 1840. Charles Harpur was born in Australia in 1813; his parents were both convicts and married in 1814. Charles' father, who had been a school master, was transported for highway robbery in 1800.(({{https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/harpur-charles-2158}}:__ BROKEN-LINK:[[https://australianroyalty.net.au/individual.php?pid=I52597&ged=purnellmccord.ged]]LINK-BROKEN__ [[https://www.geni.com/people/Joseph-Harpur-Convict-Royal-Admiral-1800/6000000006583612112]]))\\ | Given her father's love of poetry and lack of desire to tackle alternative employment, it is understandable that numerous writers have assumed that Thomas was the brother of the prominent colonial poet, Charles Harpur. Additionally, Matilda also was a talented writer, though her talent was used mainly used to educate her children to appreciate English literature and history. Charles Harpur, like Matilda, was also to die of tuberculosis.((http://www.middlemiss.org/matilda/2009/10/reprint-obituary-the-late-mr-charles-harpur.html)) However, a shared surname appears the only traceable family connection.((Patricia Clarke, 'Rosa Praed's Irish Connections', //The Australian Journal of Irish Studies//, vol. 1, 2001, p.119; Patricia Clarke, The //Other// Harpur, Or, How I stumbled across an unknown Colonial Poet', //National Library of Australia News// Vol. 8, no. 6, March 1889, pp.18-21.)) None who assert that Charles and Thomas Harpur were brothers have provided any evidence of the supposed relationship. Thomas Harpur was born in Ireland in 1797, migrating to Australia in 1840. Charles Harpur was born in Australia in 1813; his parents were both convicts and married in 1814. Charles' father, who had been a school master, was transported for highway robbery in 1800.(({{https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/harpur-charles-2158}}:__ BROKEN-LINK:[[https://australianroyalty.net.au/individual.php?pid=I52597&ged=purnellmccord.ged]]LINK-BROKEN__ [[https://www.geni.com/people/Joseph-Harpur-Convict-Royal-Admiral-1800/6000000006583612112]]))\\ |
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| What little we know about Matilda is all positive. Her daughter Rosa recalled her as 'a wise woman and most tenderly sympathetic'.((Patricia Clarke, 'Rosa Praed's Irish Connections', //The Australian Journal of Irish Studies//, vol. 1, 2001, p.120 citing Rosa "My Literary Beginnings', Praed papers 2/29/1.)) One piece of evidence tells us more about her: a book that belonged to her, with her name, address and a dedication as seen below ('Miss Matilda Harpur as a very slight expression of my estimation of her superior moral & intellectual qualifications & scientific attainments.'). The book was the //Companion to the Bible. Intended for Bible Classes, Families, and Young Persons in General//, published by the [[wp>Religious_Tract_Society|Religious Tract Society]].((Provenance: J. Godden to T.A. & M.T. M-P)) It confirms that the Harpurs were Protestant with evangelical leanings, and that they lived in College Square, Belfast. It also provides evidence that Matilda Harpur was considered exceptionally bright.\\ | What little we know about Matilda is all positive. In 1900, her daughter Rosa recalled her mother in idealistic terms, remembering the log on which they would sit and with her 'tired mother ... [her] pale sweet face, the bright eyes, the fragile form, in which spirit strove sometimes vainly to overbear weakness of flesh ... [talking of] aspirations after higher things.... Our mother was a wise woman and most tenderly sympathetic' and so first planned the //Maroon Magazine//. It was educational in purpose, Rosa realised, but it was also play 'and therein lay our joy'.((Rosa Praed, "My Literary Beginnings', //Brisbane Grammar School Magazine//, pp.15-22, Praed papers Box 2, item 120) One piece of evidence tells us more about her: a book that belonged to her, with her name, address and a dedication as seen below ('Miss Matilda Harpur as a very slight expression of my estimation of her superior moral & intellectual qualifications & scientific attainments.'). The book was the //Companion to the Bible. Intended for Bible Classes, Families, and Young Persons in General//, published by the [[wp>Religious_Tract_Society|Religious Tract Society]].((Provenance: J. Godden to T.A. & M.T. M-P)) It confirms that the Harpurs were Protestant with evangelical leanings, and that they lived in College Square, Belfast. It also provides evidence that Matilda Harpur was considered exceptionally bright.\\ |
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| {{:whewell_dedication_enhanced.jpg?300|}} {{:matilda_dedication.jpg?300|}} Title page and dedication of the book presented to Matilda Harpur.\\ | {{:whewell_dedication_enhanced.jpg?300|}} {{:matilda_dedication.jpg?300|}} Title page and dedication of the book presented to Matilda Harpur.\\ |