Biographical Information about Sarah Green

Little is known or written about Sarah Green. She wrote books both loved and despised by critics. She sometimes chose to write under her married name, sometimes anonymously. She had spirit and loved to verbally spar with her detractors. But almost nothing is known of the life of the woman who published at least 12 novels. Most scholars believe that she was brought up in London, and probably attended a boarding school. She was either very well read, or good at research, as she includes literary references and quotes at the beginning of almost every chapter of Gretna Green Marriages, as well as her other works. Details from many of her novels suggest that she was well traveled.

Although she often wrote about submissive females, she was herself something of a feminist. In the introduction to Good Men of Modern Date Mrs. Green openly addresses the reviewers, and is not afraid to take credit for all of her own work. The following is an excerpt from her diatribe.
"The British Critic, when speaking of my ROMANCE READERS AND ROMANCE WRITERS says he never heard of the Private History of the Court of England, whereas it hath gone through two editions; but the fame of that work I was once informed was given to another, while I penned and planned the whole of it, except one letter; nor was the order of the work, or one word of it, known to another person besides myself, till it was about to be disposed of; which business being in the country, and not transacting myself, I was long kept back from the merit of it, if any might be attached to it."

It should be noted that the Private History of the Court of England was originally published anonymously and universally despised by critics (see Reviews section.) For Mrs. Green to not only admit to writing it, but boldly claiming pride and all merit attached to it was very brave for a female author at that time. She was very protective of her work and, good or bad, wanted full credit for all of it, even though some critics refused to believe she was really a woman, and if she was, probably wasn't writing all of her own material. She continues in her introduction with a biting sarcasm regarding these reviewers that they did not fail to notice.
"I take upon myself, therefore, nothing but which I have a right to claim. The following pages, like the rest my solo works, are all original, and which I now submit to your inspection, beseeching ye, as ye are powerful, to be merciful."

For an interesting look at the critics' reactions, see the reviews of Good Men of Modern Date under the Reviews section.

It is sad to realize that such a talented and spirited lady who contributed so much to the literary world during her time, has so little written about her. Hopefully this will be a small start to a great undertaking to learn more about Mrs. Green and other forgotten female writers of her time.

- Prepared by Jamie Mraz, University of Nebraska, December 2002