Elizabeth Gunning

-
EG published, mostly during the later eighteenth century, a number of novels (including the one of her late mother 's which she finished), translations, a children's book, and two unacted plays. Many appeared before her marriage, and there has been some confusion with her mother's work. Both Gunnings are acutely class-conscious, centring many plots on wished-for ascent to the nobility (whose vices as a class they nevertheless strongly condemn): a motif which EG neatly reverses in her last.
Reproduction of painted portrait of Elizabeth Gunning by Francis Cotes, 1751. The backgrorund is blue blurred into black and her clothing is painted impressionistically, except for some orante gold detailing lower on her dress.

Milestones

1769

EG , an only child, was born in London.
Gentleman’s Magazine. Various publishers.
93 (1823): ii: 190

By June 1794

EG published at London and Dublin her first work, The Packet, A Novel, in four volumes, as Miss Gunning (the form she continued to use).
Critical Review. W. Simpkin and R. Marshall.
2d ser. 11 (1794): 179
Garside, Peter et al., editors. The English Novel 1770-1829. Oxford University Press.
1: 613

1815

The last novel by Elizabeth Plunkett née Gunning came out under two titles—The Man of Fashion, A Tale of Modern Times and The Victims of Seduction; or, Memoirs of a Man of Fashion, A Tale of Modern Times.
Garside, Peter et al., editors. The English Novel 1770-1829. Oxford University Press.
2: 414-15

20 July 1823

Mrs Plunkett, formerly EG , died at Melford House, Long Melford, Suffolk, after a severe illness.
Gentleman’s Magazine. Various publishers.
93 (1823): ii: 190

Biography

Birth and Connections

1769

EG , an only child, was born in London.
Gentleman’s Magazine. Various publishers.
93 (1823): ii: 190

Please click on login button to check your access and/or enter your credentials. Alternatively if you don’t have access, please click on “Subscribe”.

Log inSubscribe