Adelaide O'Keeffe
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was first heard of by name in 1804 as a writer of highly successful verse for children; she had already in all probability edited her
's dramatic works. She went on to do distinguished and unusual work of her own as novelist, writer of biblical paraphrase, and author of instructive works (particularly on history and geography), as well as editing her father's plays.
- BirthName: Adelaide D. O'Keeffe She wrote her first name in various forms ranging from Adélaïde to Adelaïde, and used the initial D. only sometimes, e.g. on the title-page of Patriarchal Times, 1811: it is not known what the D. stood for. Some commentators mis-spell her surname with only one f.
- Self-constructed: Miss O'KeeffeThis form was still unusual for an adult, since Mrs remained fairly current as a term of respect for single as well as married women.