WILLIAMS, ANNA (1706 - 1783), author
Date of birth: 1706
Date of death: 1783
Parent: Zachariah Williams
Gender: Female
Occupation: author
Area of activity: Literature and Writing; Poetry
Author: Gwyn Jones
daughter of Zachariah Williams; was born at Rosemarket, Pembrokeshire. She went to London with her father about 1727 and lived in straitened circumstances for a time with him in the Charterhouse, a breach of rules which led to his expulsion therefrom. In 1740 she became almost blind, but supported herself by her needle. Her translation of Bleterie's ' Life of the Emperor Julian ' appeared in 1746. She became quite blind after an operation in 1752, but had already engaged the humane interest of Dr. Samuel Johnson, who gave her shelter for long periods till the end of her life. Her Miscellanies in Prose and Verse were published in 1766, with some assistance from Johnson's hand. Thereafter her health declined, and she died 6 September 1783. Her small substance was given to the Ladies' Charity School. It is doubtful whether the writings attributed to her are all her own; their merit is, in any case, small.
Author
- Professor Gwyn Jones, (1907 - 1999)
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
- Geirlyfr Bywgraffiadol o Enwogion Cymru (1870)
- Notable Welshmen (1700–1900) (1908)
- Baker, Biographia Dramatica (London 1812), 1812, I, ii, 748
Sources
- Wikipedia Article: Anna Williams
Further Reading
Published date: 1959
Article Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/
The Dictionary of Welsh Biography is provided by The National Library of Wales and the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies. It is free to use and does not receive grant support. A donation would help us maintain and improve the site so that we can continue to acknowledge Welsh men and women who have made notable contributions to life in Wales and beyond.
Find out more on our sponsorship page.