Mary Susanna Lee (1846–1908) and her sister Catherine Harriet Lee (1847–1914) were English writers of children's fiction. Several of their books had a historical setting; some were targeted at girls. They were usually co-authors and published as M. and C. Lee or Mary and Catherine Lee. Born in London to Henry Boyle Lee MRCS and his wife Anne, they lived in the south of England, and spent their later years in Bishops Stortford with their younger sister Frances. Their historical fiction includes ''Lucy's Campaign'', about a girl caught up with Charles Edward Stuart's entourage in 1745. ''Rosamond Fane'' tells a story of James II as a boy, and ''The Oak Staircase'' uses the Duke of Monmouth's Rebellion as a starting point. Mary Lee participated in a collaborative novel, ''The Miz Maze, or the Winkworth Puzzle'', with

Charlotte Mary Yonge Charlotte Mary Yonge (1823–1901) was an English novelist, who wrote in the service of the church. Her abundant books helped to spread the influence of the Oxford Movement and show her keen interest in matters of public health and sanitation. ...

and seven other writers. She and Catherine published a story called ''Hallowmas Eve at Horsemandown'' in Yonge's magazine, the ''

Monthly Packet ''The Monthly Packet'' was an English magazine published between 1851 and 1899, founded by members of the Oxford Movement to counter Anglo-Catholic extremism. It was strongly influenced by its first editor, the novelist Charlotte Mary Yonge, with ai ...

'': . When Mary Lee died the '' Athenaeum Magazine'' said her stories "gave pleasure to many young people and some older readers". The Lees' work received positive, if brief, reviews. For instance, "a capital story, which cannot fail to keep its young readers' attention and interest", was ''

The Spectator ''The Spectator'' is a weekly British magazine on politics, culture, and current affairs. It was first published in July 1828, making it the oldest surviving weekly magazine in the world. It is owned by Frederick Barclay, who also owns ''The ...

s verdict on ''Goldhanger Woods''. Several novels ran to more than one edition, like ''The Oak Staircase'', which was published at least four times between 1872 and 1914. In 1963 ''Rosamond Fane'' was republished as part of the Oxford Children's Library. One critic, however, complained that ''Lucy's Campaign'', despite its subtitle "a story of adventure", was "merely a tale for girls" in which the political and military events of the era had been made "subservient to matters of social interest".''Morning Post'', 12 December 1866

Works by both authors together

* ''Lucy's Campaign: a story of adventure'' (1867) * ''Rosamond Fane; or, the Prisoners of St. James's'' (1870) * ''The Oak Staircase; or the Stories of Lord and Lady Desmond. A narrative of the times of James II'' (1872) * ''Hallowmas Eve at Horsemandown'', in ''The Monthly Packet'' (1873) * ''Joachim's Spectacles: a legend of Florenthal'' (1876) * ''Goldhanger Woods: a child's romance'' (1887) * ''Mrs. Dimsdale's Grandchildren'' (1888) * ''The Family Coach'' (1890) * ''St. Dunstan's Fair'' (1892) * ''Told after Tea'' (1892) * ''Miss Coventry's Maid: a story for girls'' (1895) * ''Kitty's birthday'' (1897) * ''Laurie's Motto'' (1897)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Mary 19th-century British women writers 19th-century British writers British children's writers Sister duos