Isabella Beeton

Isabella Beeton (12 March 1836 – 6 February 1865), also known as Mrs Beeton, was an English journalist, editor and writer. Her most famous work, Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management, published in 1861, is a guide to all aspects of running a household in Victorian Britain.

Early life

Isabella was born in London to Benjamin and Elizabeth Mayson. She was the eldest of 21 children. After her father died when she was young, her mother remarried a man named Henry Dorling, and the family moved to Epsom, Surrey.

Career

In 1856, Isabella married Samuel Beeton, a publisher of books and popular magazines. She began writing articles on cooking and household management for one of his publications, The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazine. These articles formed the basis of Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management.

Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management

Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management is a comprehensive guide to running a Victorian household, with advice on everything from cooking and cleaning to child care and animal husbandry. It was an instant success and has been in print ever since. The book is particularly known for its detailed and practical recipes, which are still used today.

Legacy

Isabella Beeton died at the age of 28, but her work has had a lasting impact. She is considered one of the first and most influential domestic goddesses, paving the way for others like Julia Child and Martha Stewart. Her book is still a reference for those interested in Victorian social history and domestic management.

See also

• Victorian era
• Home economics

External links

• Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management online